Devo Galatians 2

Galatians 2:15-21
15. “We who are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’ 16. know that a man is
not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have
put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by
observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
17. “If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves
are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18. If I
rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. 19. For through the law I
died to the law so that I might live for God. 20. .I have been crucified with Christ
and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith
in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21. I do not set aside
the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died
for nothing!”

Meditation:
1. “(A) man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ”
(v16). Many people go to temples, burn incense, and engage in meditation
and generous donations in the hopes of receiving peace and prosperity. We
tell children that Santa Claus checks “his list twice to see who’s naughty
or nice” in order to give them gifts at Christmas accordingly. Is there any
difference between the two examples? How is Jesus’ gift of salvation different
from them?
2. If Santa Claus existed and had a list with my name on it, what actions might
be listed to determine whether I was naughty or nice? Bring this list to God
and thank Him that He is not like Santa. Tear up the list and throw it to the
garbage. Once again, thank God for all the grace gifts given me without my
working for them.

Personal Note:
We all put out faith in something.  We live in a world that teaches us to observe the law.  There are laws in our society, if we break a law, we go to jail.  There are laws in the family, if we break rules in the family, we are punished by our parents.  There are laws in the Bible, if we break one, we fail the rest and sinned.  The penalty of sin is death.  We cannot be saved and have right terms with God by our own abilities in following the law.  We need to have faith in Jesus Christ, the son of God, who took all the penalty of sins.  We are made right with God by receiving the gift of salvation from Christ.

Jesus' gift of salvation is different from children who try to behave in order to receive gifts of Santa.  I am loved and saved by God just as who I am.  I am accepted by God when I submit and surrender to Him.  He is all mighty powerful, yet loves me more than anyone on earth.