Summer School: “Jesus + Nothing = Everything” — Wednesday
Galatians 3:11
Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because “the righteous will live by faith.” (CSB)
“God, could it really be this easy?” This is one of the many thoughts I have when I ponder God’s grace. Could it really be as simple as placing our faith in Him?
Paul puts it plainly when he says, “It is clear.” It is clear that we cannot make ourselves right with God through our works. It is also clear that faith alone is the only requirement to receive everlasting life with Jesus. But if this is so clear, why do many of us who believe in Jesus still live as though we must do enough good things for Him and strive to right our wrongs? I met with someone recently who was evidently burdened by their past. They couldn’t stop looking back, filled with regret and wondering if they could do anything to ‘fix’ the mistakes they had made. It broke my heart that the Enemy was keeping them in such bondage. I can empathize, though, because I’ve been in that place before as well, and maybe you have, too. But the truth is that God wholeheartedly desires for us to experience freedom in Him and not be slaves to our past. Our freedom from sin and shame matters deeply to Him—so much so that He sacrificed His own Son for it.
One of my favorite movies is one of the more recent Batman films, The Dark Knight Rises. Throughout the movie, one of the main characters, Catwoman, is in search of a program called the Clean Slate, which could wipe clean her criminal record from every database known to man. This would give her the ability to start over and live a life free from the bondage of her past. And while that may just be a Hollywood story far from our reality, I think we can all relate to the feeling of wishing we could change the past and erase the record of our worst moments. But fortunately, we don’t need to search down a special computer program to wipe out our record with God. If we simply believe that what Jesus did for us on the cross is enough, He wipes our slate clean. Through faith alone, we can experience true freedom from our past and live a life marked by the peace and joy that comes from following Him.
Wednesday’s Reflection
“Only one Person could keep all the rules. And many years later God would send him — to stand in their place and be perfect for them. Because the rules couldn’t save them. Only God could save them” (Jesus Storybook Bible, p. 107).
