April 20, 2015
That Would Certainly Sting
1 Corinthians 15:55-57
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
And the law gives sin its power... These are such interesting words to me. Why is there a good thing, God’s Law, being paired with a bad thing? How does knowledge of something good promote something bad? It actually just goes to show how good the law is. God’s Law is so good and so perfect and so difficult to live out. His Law shows us that we are not perfect because we see what we should do and compare it with what we actually do and see immediately that we still sin even though we try to do what’s right. The reason sin has power is due to our inability to not sin.
I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. (Romans 7:21-22)
If life were simpler, and the only thing we needed to achieve was tying shoe laces, I’d be perfect. Tying shoes has no power over me. I can tie any shoe and it will stay tied. I was taught early in life how to tie my shoes and I have never struggled with the task since. But even though Jesus simplified all of God’s Laws into just two seemingly simple tasks, Love God & Love others (Matthew 22:38-39), it’s not as easy as tying shoe laces.
So the whole reason that Christians are excited is because we found Someone to tie our shoes for us! Jesus is perfect. And because of HIS sacrifice for OUR sins God is no longer counting people righteous for how well they can obey every single commandment (Romans 3:21-22). That doesn’t mean we don’t obey them, it just means how well we keep them isn’t what determines our final destination anymore.
The Apostle Paul says the law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. (Galatians 3:24-25)
God decided that anyone who believes in Jesus will be saved–doesn’t matter how long or how well we obey. For me, that is so much better than God deciding that only the best of the best can be saved because knowing God’s Law has shown me that if I was dependent upon my own abilities to save me, I could never ever be saved. And that would certainly sting.
Dear God,
I love your Law, I love your Ways! I love that you have shown me how to live. But I am so glad I am not being graded on how well I pull everything off because I have good days and bad days. I am so thankful that there is completely another way to be saved that leaves nothing hanging over my head. Thank you for Jesus. I love you and praise you and ask you to help me obey you out of a thankful heart and I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
That Would Certainly Sting
1 Corinthians 15:55-57
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
And the law gives sin its power... These are such interesting words to me. Why is there a good thing, God’s Law, being paired with a bad thing? How does knowledge of something good promote something bad? It actually just goes to show how good the law is. God’s Law is so good and so perfect and so difficult to live out. His Law shows us that we are not perfect because we see what we should do and compare it with what we actually do and see immediately that we still sin even though we try to do what’s right. The reason sin has power is due to our inability to not sin.
I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. (Romans 7:21-22)
If life were simpler, and the only thing we needed to achieve was tying shoe laces, I’d be perfect. Tying shoes has no power over me. I can tie any shoe and it will stay tied. I was taught early in life how to tie my shoes and I have never struggled with the task since. But even though Jesus simplified all of God’s Laws into just two seemingly simple tasks, Love God & Love others (Matthew 22:38-39), it’s not as easy as tying shoe laces.
So the whole reason that Christians are excited is because we found Someone to tie our shoes for us! Jesus is perfect. And because of HIS sacrifice for OUR sins God is no longer counting people righteous for how well they can obey every single commandment (Romans 3:21-22). That doesn’t mean we don’t obey them, it just means how well we keep them isn’t what determines our final destination anymore.
The Apostle Paul says the law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. (Galatians 3:24-25)
God decided that anyone who believes in Jesus will be saved–doesn’t matter how long or how well we obey. For me, that is so much better than God deciding that only the best of the best can be saved because knowing God’s Law has shown me that if I was dependent upon my own abilities to save me, I could never ever be saved. And that would certainly sting.
Dear God,
I love your Law, I love your Ways! I love that you have shown me how to live. But I am so glad I am not being graded on how well I pull everything off because I have good days and bad days. I am so thankful that there is completely another way to be saved that leaves nothing hanging over my head. Thank you for Jesus. I love you and praise you and ask you to help me obey you out of a thankful heart and I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
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