Freedom — From The Law – Monday
TODAY’S VERSE
Acts 15:10-11
Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will. (ESV)
What was your first impression after attending church? To put it lightly, let’s just say I wasn’t a fan. To put it transparently, I actually hated my church. I know “hate” is a strong term, so to add a little more context and clarity, I should probably say that I was “deeply angry and bitter” towards my church as a kid. Let me explain. There were just so many rules. No running in the sanctuary, no dancing, no loud music, and DEFINITELY no tattoos.
At one point, my parents were even told that by allowing their kids to attend public school, they were directly going against God’s Word. When you take all of this into consideration, “those things” didn’t draw me closer to Jesus; they pushed me further away from Him. It seemed as though having a relationship with Jesus was only possible if I maintained the status of being a “perfect Christian.” The people around me were only concerned with maintaining the right actions and words while putting up facades to cover the true condition of their hearts. It was an unbearable weight to carry growing up!
This was very similar to what Peter was fighting in Acts 15. False teachers were attempting to add things to the Gospel. They were proclaiming that one was saved by the grace of Jesus and by following the law. Peter knew that the weight of the Law was something no human being could bear, and that salvation comes through Christ Jesus alone.
For many Jews, this was a difficult concept to wrap their minds around, because it went against everything they had been thinking for years! Imagine my own surprise when, after years of trying to earn my salvation through “correct actions,” I finally understood there was nothing I could do to earn the grace of Jesus. I am welcomed and embraced into the family of God because of everything Jesus has done, and that’s it. How beautiful it is to remember that nothing I do can save me, only the grace of Jesus!
Here’s the redemptive part of the story I opened with: I don’t hate church anymore (which is probably good, considering I work at one now!). I love having a front row seat as more and more people discover the saving grace of Jesus. I love watching students run through the hallways, adults praise Jesus loudly, and kids dance around the rooms. Because when we finally understand that Jesus is the only way, we have true freedom.
APPLICATION
Read, pray, and meditate on Galatians 2:16 to fill your mind and heart with the truth that we are justified by faith in Christ alone.
PRAYER
God, thank You for the freedom we can only find in Jesus. We can't earn our salvation, and we don't deserve our salvation. But because of Your grace, we have the gift of eternal life.