THE LAW OF FAITH

"Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law" (Romans 3:21-28, NASB)."

Devotion 1 of 30

INTRODUCTION

The critical theme of Scripture is man's acceptance by God. The burden of Scripture is not human conduct, or social responsibilities, although those things are covered. Allow me to underscore this fact! The duty of man, whether social, domestic, or spiritual, is not theme or thrust of Scripture. This is not where God places the emphasis. Those subjects are there, but are always in the background.

Let no person conclude that conduct is inconsequential, or that human responsibility may be ignored with impunity! I am not saying these things are not mentioned, but that they are not central, pivotal, or the point of emphasis! They are not the core of revelation. They are not at the heart of God's message. Those who insist on dwelling on those things have limited themselves to the periphery of the Kingdom.

Such must know that little, if any, genuine grace and peace exist where things pertaining to this world are the bulk of the message! When unduly accented, they lead people to imagine they can gain Divine acceptance and approval by their accomplishments. This series will emphatically declare this to be false. I will go so far as to say those entertaining such notions stand in jeopardy this very hour.

Jesus once said, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mk 8:36-37). It is possible to appropriate "the whole world," and yet lose everything in the end. What a tragic thing to come to the end of life, and leave forever behind everything counted dear, also losing ones own soul. Forever cut off from God and every vestige of life--simply because the wrong things were preferred, and foolish investments made.

The Word of God recognizes and emphasizes Divine priorities. The First and great commandment requires that God be loved above all else--"FIRST" (Matt 22:37-38). The preeminent thing to be sought is "the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" --"FIRST" (Matt 6:33). Jesus emphatically said, "One thing is needful" (Lk 10:42). Paul, speaking for all who are spiritually mature, said, "This one thing I do" (Phil 3:13).

All of these expressions recognize the superiority of our relationship to God through Christ Jesus. That priority is the thrust of our current series, "The Law of Faith."

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ, grant me grace to see, embrace, and maintain the priorities you have revealed in Your great salvation.

-- Tomorrow: WHAT IF GOD DOES NOT RECEIVE US? --