The Beginning

Upon first reading Galatians 2:21 I had a hard time understanding exactly what it meant. I reread it over and over again but still found myself with a confused look.

After a little looking, I found my answer. Galatians 2: 15-16 says, "We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified".

I took this to mean that following the laws of this world isn't enough. It takes way more than that. I have to trust in God to help me determine right from wrong. To me, that is what faith is; trusting that God will lead me along the right path and help me determine right from wrong.

Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins. At that time there were laws in place but it wasn't enough to keep us from sinning and making a mess of the world God gave to us. Jesus, God's special messenger, was there trying to show us the right way to live a life through Christ but not many seemed to listen. It took the extreme of Jesus dying on the cross and even now we still sin. I still sin.

The biggest thing that stuck out to me in today's devotion is the idea that we, including myself, justify sin by telling ourselves we can make it right again by asking for forgiveness later. I am guilty of taking advantage of this and the thought has often crossed my mind but today it hit home when I saw it in words. I felt called out and ashamed. How awful is it that I would voluntarily take advantage of God's forgiveness?

I know it is going to be extremely hard for me to quit cold turkey but I pray that I will grow better at it each and every day.

Dear God,

Thank you for presenting me with the opportunity to grow closer to you through this devotional, Devotions for the God Girl. Please help me to take from it what is you need me to learn and apply it to my own life. God, I am guilty of taking advantage of your forgiveness. I pray that you will step in and give me a gentle nudge on the shoulder when I am about to do what I know is wrong. I know it hurts you. I am sorry. Lord, please help me to make my way through this life on Earth and grow stronger through my faith in you because it is this faith that will one day bring me home to spot seated right beside you in Heaven. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Please continue to walk with me Lord and make your presence known.

Amen.

Galatians 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast."