Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Freedom : Gift from God

Bible portion: Galatians 5 :1-6

Galatians 5: 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Devotion
“Ryan, help me with loading the dish washer and you can go out to play”, “Samantha, finish your studies for the day and I can take you to a movie”
These and similar words are what many of us grew up hearing and possibly continue to use to negotiate with our kids. All through our lives in this world our rewards and remunerations are tied to our actions, and we are constantly reminded that unless we do the “works”, we can’t expect the “reward” and  unless we behave in a  certain way, there will be consequences. 
While rules and regulations in this world are important for safe and healthy living while we are in this world, let us look at what the Bible teaches us about rules in our relationship with Christ.
Our focus for today is the Book of Galatians 5:1-6 where Paul reminds the Galatians that Christ has set us free from the requirements of slavery. Slavery demands that we live by the rules of the master to the minutest detail, else there is a punishment involved.
 However, thanks to our relationship with Christ, we have been gifted freedom. What is this freedom – is it to live as we please with no regard for anything or anyone other than ourselves ? No, instead it is a freedom to know that we do not have to help ourselves be saved through our actions but faith in Christ alone is sufficient.
It is a time to reflect on our own thoughts and words in this regard, do we feel that it is because we live righteously that we can be assured of a place in heaven? That is so not true.
Paul in verse 6 of Galatians 5 very clearly helps us understand that “faith expressing itself through love” is the only thing that counts. Having faith in Christ will reveal its existence in us through the love that we display to others around us and this love will naturally lead us to do, say and think the right things based on what Christ taught and showed us.
PRAYER
Our Heavenly father , thank you Lord for the freedom you have given us to be saved solely through our faith in you. Thank you, Lord, for the assurance that we no longer need to be bound by rules and regulations in the way slaves are, nor fear that we need to behave according to the rules of the Old Testament to be able to receive the greatest reward of being with you in heaven. Help us Lord to know that faith in you and love for others is what you ask of us, strengthen our Faith O Lord and show us how to love others.  Keep us close to you always, In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
 
Thought for the Day 
 
 “We are not saved by obedience for obedience is the result of salvation. We are saved by faith because faith leads us to obey”. Charles Spurgeon
 
Asha Mariam Jacob, St.Thomas MarThoma Church , Vancouver

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