“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound? By no means. How shall we, who are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:1-2
Many assume they can continue to live in their old sinful ways and still be Christians. The Bible’s answer is clear: “By no means. How shall we, who are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” True Christians do not willfully continue to live in their old sinful ways because they are saved by grace alone and not by their works. Rather, true Christians trust in Christ alone for salvation but then, as a fruit of genuine faith in Christ, seek to amend their sinful ways and live for “him who died for them and rose again” (2 Cor. 5:15).
O sanctifying Spirit, grant me true faith which trusts in Christ alone for forgiveness and life and then produces the fruits of a God-pleasing life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the Revised Common Version of the Bible.]
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48
What does the law of God require of us? In Leviticus 19:2, God says, “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.” Jesus taught, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” God’s commandments require not just a good effort but perfection in our thoughts, desires, words, and actions. We all come short. We are all condemned sinners. That is why we look in faith to Christ’s holy life and His innocent sufferings and death on the cross for our salvation!
We are guilty, O God. We have not kept Your holy commandments. Grant us pardon for our sins and a place in Your everlasting kingdom for the sake of the holy life and atoning sacrifice of Christ Jesus, our Savior. Amen.
”This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.” John 2:11
Jesus’ miracle of turning 120 to 180 gallons of water into wine at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee gave His disciples a glimpse of His power and glory as the only-begotten Son of God in human flesh, and they believed in Him. We, through the Scriptures, see His glory too. Do we also believe He is God the Son, who came into this world to be our Savior?
Dear Lord Jesus, grant that I see Your glory and place my faith in You as the Son of God and my Savior. Amen.
[Scripture is taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]
“One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.” John 1:40-42
Andrew, after hearing John the Baptist testify that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, first found his own brother, Simon, and told him they had found the Messiah and Savior. We, too, can point people to Jesus and tell them that Jesus is the one who died for the sins of all and rose again so that we might have forgiveness and eternal life through faith in His name.
Gracious God, give us love for others that we might tell them of Jesus, the Messiah and Savior of the world. Amen.
“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.” John 1:6-8
John the Baptist came to point people to the One who is the Light and Life of the world so that all might believe in Him (Jesus Christ). Note that John was not the Light but was sent to tell people of the Light. In the same way, pastors and churches are not the Light but are to point people to Jesus Christ, the Light who gives life to the world.
O Jesus Christ, my Life and the only Light of the world, grant that I hear Your Word and look to You and Your cross in faith for pardon, forgiveness, and life eternal. Amen.
