TUESDAY March 16, 2021
Hope of Righteousness
For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
Galatians 5:5-6
Paul spoke of the Galatians’ position in Jesus Christ. The Galatians were no longer under the Law; they were under the grace of God. As Christians, if they went ahead and became circumcised, it would profit them nothing––circumcision was just a ritual. The Galatians thought that rituals made them righteous before God, that they gave them a right standing before Him, which they did not. If works was the motive for salvation, it did not avail anything.
As Christians, we, through the Spirit, stand in faith––in righteousness before God. The Holy Spirit comforts and convicts us. Believers have a heavenly hope through faith in Jesus Christ. One day, Jesus is going to come, or if we die, we shall go to heaven. Why? We are living lives of faith, and a life of faith is a life of obedience to God.
Underline this verse––faith working through love. This speaks of your position in Christ. If you are truly a child of God, then you are going to love Jesus Christ. You will not want to offend Him. As you have a genuine love for Him, you are going to watch the way you walk–––your actions. Love is the key factor to your relationship with Christ.
In the Catholic Church, most people are taught to do the sacraments. But taking the host, going to confession, and doing penance for your sins or for others’ sins do not make you a Christian. Keeping the sacraments will not give you a position in heaven.
People are often misled by their teachers. Faith in Christ alone gives a person eternal life (John 3:16). It is important to know the Bible so that you are not to be deceived by traditions and rules and regulations of man.
“ ’In vain they worship Me [Christ], teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”
~Matthew 15:9~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!