Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  2024  Day 47

February 16;        Acts 13:39;         102/260;        ‘Saved By Jesus, Not the Law’

 Acts 13:39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

The Lord gave us the Word of God so that we would not be confused or deceived.  When people are asked how those in the Old Testament were saved or justified, they usually reply by keeping the Law, the Ten Commandments.  That cannot be true because, the Word tells us that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  The Ten Commandments were given, according to Romans and Galatians, not to be kept, but to show us that we could not keep them.  Why would the Lord do this?  To show us very clearly that we have a huge problem and need His help.  The help we needed was Jesus Christ.  The Bible teaches that Jesus never sinned.  He was the only one who never sinned.  Deuteronomy 28 lists all of the blessings that will be given to someone who does not sin.  Jesus was the only One who qualified for those blessings.  The Lord Jesus never took the blessings, but on the cross Jesus took the sins of humanity upon Himself.  He was punished for our sins and the blessings Jesus rightfully deserved, He gave to us, those who accept Him as our Lord and Savior.  The Law played a role, but it was very different than what we thought or that some religious teach.  This is why God’s Word is so vital.  The Word protects us from erroneous teachings and clearly shows us the way to being justified by the Lord Jesus.  Religion teaches that we earn heaven by keeping the Law.  This is not true and appeals to pride.  We are granted eternal life when we believe the Word, what Jesus did.