LED BY THE SPIRIT

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:12-17)

Devotion 15 of 20

DELIVERANCE FROM THE LAW
The prevalence of loose thinking

There is a lot of loose thought in the religious community concerning the Law. Vast numbers of people are depending upon their adherence to a code to bring them to heaven. The Word of God speaks forthrightly to this point. "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin" (Rom 3:20). "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life" (Tit 3:5-7).

Humanity cannot be saved by measuring up to a code, regardless of its simplicity. Adam failed to keep a single commandment, and Israel could not keep ten. If we are to be saved, we must seek resources outside of ourselves. We have been contaminated by personal sin, our powers have been weakened, and our resources polluted. It would be easier for an unconscious person on a life support system to win a marathon race than for us to be justified by our own deeds.

Clear affirmations

The affirmations of God's Word are clear, notwithstanding the objections of religious flesh. "And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:39). "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified" (Gal 2:16). "But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith" (Gal 3:11).

There is no law that can justify--none at all. The Law of Moses stood for all Law, thereby demonstrating we cannot appropriate justification by means of the law principle. "Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law" (Gal 3:21, NASB). Mark it well; it is not possible for spiritual life to be imparted by means of Law, or a moral code. Spiritual death cannot be corrected by measuring up to a revealed standard. The Spirit states this is "evident," or obvious (Gal 3:11).

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, deliver me from any notion that I can save myself by the keeping of laws.

-- TOMORROW: WHEN THE IMPOSSIBLE BECOMES POSSIBLE --