“Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1
Tom and Jerry is a classic cartoon about a cat and a mouse. These short episodes normally have Tom chasing Jerry and destroying everything in his path. But regardless of how hard he tries and how smart his tactics are, Tom never catches Jerry. In our pursuit of getting right with God, we want to make sure that we’re not like Tom.
We can’t make ourselves right with God. No matter how hard we try, we will never be able to win his approval. We will always fall short in our efforts. God’s acceptance of us is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. Our justification before God is all about Jesus. His goodness, not ours, saves us. Jesus’ life, not our own, is our hope. Jesus’ death, not our religious efforts was our payment. Jesus alone forgives sin, and we are to seek him and repent of our sin.
Our justification is not accomplished in any part by our own work, morality, or religious devotion. Faith in Jesus alone is what justifies us. Jesus plus anything ruins everything.
Read
- Once we have been justified by faith through Jesus, what do we have with God?
- On what do we stand?
- Do you think and feel that you are at peace with God through faith in Jesus? Why or why not?
Prayer
Thank God that you are at peace with him through faith in Jesus Christ. Rejoice with your family in the hope that you have in Christ.
This devotion is adapted from the Who Do You Think You Are? Study Guides with Daily Devotions resource.
