Scripture: Matthew 5:5:17-20, Romans 8:1-4

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

 

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

 

Observation: I heard it said recently that the law was never given with the hopes of making us live righteously, but rather to make us aware of our sin. Make us aware of all the places we fall short of God’s standard. What incredibly encouraging verses these are! Jesus was there to be my sin offering. He died for sins I hadn’t even committed yet, or even thought of committing.

Application: How can we not feel anything but excited about this? And peace. We are forgiven. Nothing will change that. As we strive for becoming more holy, we can take great comfort today in knowing that we aren’t going to always get it right, but that won’t change God’s love for us. Wow, the simple truths are so exciting!

Prayer: God I thank you for forgiving me, even when I don’t deserve it. I thank you for this simple but important truth in your Word today. That your son came and was the sin offering for me. Before I even existed. But you already knew me. And you still forgave me. Lord, help me to tell others about You. Give me courage to do so. Thank you for all those who had the courage to tell me so many years ago. In Jesus name, amen!