Devotions By Jan

Category Archives: Salvation


by Leave a comment

“Occam’s Razor”

Scripture for Today: John 6:29 “Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the One He has sent.'”

Looking at this beautifully groomed poodle reminds me of the Westminister Dog Show we just viewed on television.  Hours were spent in meticulous grooming to ready the participants for the competition.  It is obvious that this dog’s hair does not grow this way naturally.  It is safe to assume that scissors and razor were used to shape the dog’s coat.  Occam’s Razor is the name of the philosophy that says that the simplest explanation is usually the correct one.

God made salvation incredibly simple to grasp.  What is it about salvation through grace that escapes us?  Why do we want to add our own feeble efforts?  Jesus answers the question about works in today’s verse.  There is only one “work” that saves; believing in Jesus as God.  The tendency is to complicate what God made simple.  We are not saved because of any righteous works we can do (Eph. 2:8-9).  Our salvation comes from throwing ourselves on His unmerited favor, recognizing that there is nothing good in us that can earn it.  The more we feel we contribute to acquiring salvation, the more we take away from His all-sufficient sacrifice for us.  It is all a gift, even the faith to believe.

Knowing this takes away any reason for me to boast or to be prideful.  There is no sense of being better than anyone else.  My abject need of His grace to forgive makes the ground completely level in front of the cross.  It is so simple but so incredibly profound; “believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31)

Thank you Lord, for making it simple.  It is all Your work, not mine.


by 1 Comment

Bewitched

Scripture for Today: Galatians 3:1 “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.”

With just eight seasons, the Bewitched show has become an icon of television history!  We have the privilege of knowing the Murphy twins, Diane and Erin, who played the role of Tabitha.  This show, running from 1964 to 1972 made the top 20 in its first five seasons.  Its declining popularity toward the end of its run is sometimes blamed on the unexplained and sudden switch of the character, Darrin.  There is even a term used to reference an unpopular switch; “the Darrin Syndrome.”

Today’s verse uses the term,” bewitched” to describe the switch the Galatians had made.  They were bewitched or fooled into switching from the Gospel of grace to a system of works.  A group of legalistic Judaizers convinced this group of converted Gentiles that the death of Christ was not sufficient.  They believed that certain ceremonial laws of the Old Testament were still binding.  They were adding works to the Gospel of grace.  Paul reminds the Galatians that observing the Law did not earn them the Holy Spirit or right standing with God.  Faith in Christ’s sacrifice did that.

It is so easy to be “bewitched” today.  How many religions fool their adherents to believe that it is through our own efforts that we are saved or can please God?  Why switch to a never-ending treadmill of works that does not erase my sense of guilt?  I am never good enough.  There is always more I should be doing.  I am so thankful for His grace.  God’s standard of righteousness was fully met in my Savior and the debt of my sin has been fully paid!

Thank you Lord, that You paid it all and there is nothing more to add!


by Leave a comment

The Gavel

Scripture for Today: Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The tapping of a gavel in a courtroom can mean different things.  When tapped twice, everyone is to rise.  When it is tapped three times, all are to be seated.  There can be repeated vigorous tapping to restore order.  One tap may be used to declare a matter settled and finished.  With the tap of a gavel comes all the power of that court.  When that gavel is brought down there is a decision made.  And that symbol of authority brings with it a certain finality.

In the courts of heaven, the gavel comes down with unquestionable authority.  God has every right to proclaim someone guilty or not guilty.  He is our righteous Judge and all His judgements are true and just.  Today’s verse is a wonderful assurance for the one who has placed their faith in Jesus.  There is no fear of that gavel coming down.  The believer is justified, or declared righteous, not because of our own deeds but because of being credited with His righteousness (Romans 4:22-25).  The just punishment that we rightly deserve has been fully met by His death on the cross.  The righteousness Jesus achieved has been laid to our account!

It has been decided.  The gavel has already come down.  I do not have to live in fear and doubt.  He declared, “It is finished,” on that cross.  How amazing that I can stand before Him, declared righteous!  There is peace with God now and throughout eternity.  My heart is not troubled because of my guilt and sin.  His forgiveness and declaration has established heartfelt peace, relief, and the joy and hope of heaven!

Lord, how can I ever express my gratitude?

 


by Leave a comment

Punctuation

Scripture for Today: I John 5:11 “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”

I had no idea that there is a National Punctuation Day!  It was established in 2004 and since then has been celebrated every September 24th.  The idea is to promote correct usage of punctuation.  The founder encourages people to send in pictures of everyday errors they encounter.  A rich source is maybe the Facebook news feed!  Without strategically placed commas, one can say some pretty outrageous things!

I recently heard a pastor use punctuation marks to describe life.  Because of eternal life in Christ, the believer does not end his life with a period.  It is not over.  There is more.  The life of the believer ends with a comma.  It is just a brief pause as he crosses over to his eternal home.  His life continues on and in fact, the period never even makes an appearance!

Eternity is the only way to make sense of life.  God has set eternity in the human heart. (Eccl.3:11)  We long for it to be true and there is something deep inside us that hopes that it is.  When we see a life cut short, when we grieve over the early death of an innocent child, we know that cannot be all there is.  And we are right!

Today’s verse tells us that we can know we have eternal life.  God does not keep us wondering.  He assures us that this life is found in His Son, Jesus.  We can know because He said it.  We can know because He promised.  What Christ did on that cross made possible a relationship that continues on into eternity!

Thank you Lord, that death is not the end.

 


by Leave a comment

Gates

Scripture for Today: Psalm 118:19-20 “Open to  me the gates of righteousness; I shall enter through them, I shall give thanks to the Lord.  This is the gate of the Lord, the righteous will enter through it.”

Over the years I have seen many beautiful gates in France.  They can stand before a breathtaking château or just a simple garden.  They are often ornate and have stood the test of time.  The ones at the palace at Versailles near Paris are golden and impressive.  We had an electronic gate at the end of our alley way.  Our French landlord put it up for our group of six resident families to discourage theft.  It also discouraged people from parking and blocking access.  The problem is, it often was out of order and was more of an inconvenience than a help!

There is a gate in our verse for today that is called “the gate of the Lord.”  I imagine it being ornate, made of shiny gold and too high to climb.  There is only one group of people who are allowed to enter it; the righteous.  When I read that, it is easy to feel that I am excluded.  I know that I am not righteous!

Thankfully, there is a righteousness that is available to me; the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ (Phil. 3:9).  HE is my righteousness.  His righteousness is promised to those who believe on Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead (Romans 4:24).  I have no righteousness of my own.  The saving work of Jesus opens those gates into His presence!  I can enter the gate of the Lord with confidence, thankfulness and praise.

Thank you Lord, for opening those gates to me!

(Look familiar?  This is a summer re-post due to ministry schedule.)