Let My Boast Be In My GOD!

SCRIPTURE



Romans 3:21-31 (NRSV)

Atonement through Christ's blood

But now, apart from law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.

Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one; and he will justify the circumcised on the ground of faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.


DEVOTION

Today’s scripture reading sends a song of praise flitting through my heart!

I love the Apostle Paul’s explanation of the good news message and his reminder that since all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, there can be no boasting about any good works that we may be blessed to accomplish!

I often think about evangelism as “boasting on God.” I love to boast about how much God loves all of us! I love to share the good news that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life. I love to tell the story that Jesus did not stay dead, but was resurrected on the third day, just like he promised that he would!

I learned long ago that I have no-thing to boast about. I am a sinner, saved by grace. I fall short every day and rely on the righteousness of Jesus’ sacrifice to make atonement for my sin. I know that it is only because I have put all of my faith in Jesus that I have received the gift of eternal redemption!

There are two songs that I love to sing whenever I want to remind myself about the free gift of salvation. The first is “Love Lifted Me!” The chorus says, “Love Lifted Me, when nothing else could help, Love lifted me!” The second is “Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!”

In both cases, I recognize that salvation is an act of God; I can do no-thing to save myself! All I can do is believe—by faith—that Jesus died and was resurrected on the third day!

How wonderful!

Now that my heart is full of faith, I remember the scripture that says, “Faith without works is dead." And again, "...without faith it is impossible to please God.”

Because my heart is full of faith, I am compelled to love God and neighbor. I am activated to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drink to the thirsty, visit the sick and imprisoned, and care for the widows and orphans. Because of the great gratitude in my heart, I have a strong desire to fulfill the Great Commission to share the good news message with every person that I meet!

I don’t do these things to earn “brownie points” with God or because I am fearful of God's wrath, if I do not.

I do these things because I want to share God’s love and care with others. I am the recipient of the greatest gift ever given—SALVATION--and I want, nay need, to share that gift with others.

Have you accepted this free gift from God? If not, please pray with me:

God, thank you so much that your love gave Jesus to die on the cross to save me from my sin and gift me with eternal life. Thank you that you raised him on the third day in victory! Today, I am putting all of my faith in Jesus! Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can share this good news with others. I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.



SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! Let me encourage you to tell a Christian friend that you just put all of your hope in Jesus. Ask him or her to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand and to find a good Bible believing church where you can be baptized and make new friends who will walk with you on your Christian journey!

I would be honored if you would take a moment to click “YES” in the upper-right hand corner of the good news blog in answer to the question, “Did God save you today?”

Congratulations and Happy Re-birthday! Your salvation is our GOOD NEWS, please go and share the GOOD NEWS with others!