Daily Devotional from Pastor Mary 2-22-18

February 22, 2018

Romans 3:21-31 New Living Translation (NLT)

God chose for his children to be saved by faith through grace.  Why do you think God chose faith as the necessary action for salvation?  I believe it is because faith presses us to admit there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. God is holy and we are sinners in need of cleansing and the impartation of the Spirit of Holiness.  Faith exalts what God has done for us—taking our sins upon himself—and our willingness to simply receive his gift of forgiveness.  Faith calls us into relationship with a loving God who wants us to know the extent to which he would go to bring righteousness to us so he can be with us. Amazing!  Thank you, God!

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul is reminding the church in Rome about their need for faith in Jesus Christ.  He also challenges the new believers to continue the journey with the Spirit of Holiness; being made into the image of Christ (Love) one day at a time.  Don’t stop your journey at the cross.  Bow at the cross, then move beyond it to find the richness of grace awaiting to bring you even closer to our Holy and Loving Lord. Ponder that for a moment, because it should excite your soul!

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