Wednesday October 7, 2020 - Not by My Works
So then, it does not depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. (Romans 9:16)
When we look at the law written on our hearts, we see what God requires from us. And those who have never heard the gospel think that this must be the way to please God, by how much they are able to keep the law written on their hearts.
That was the problem that many people in Israel were facing. They thought that they could earn their way to heaven. They also thought that they were saved because they were descendants of Abraham. But Paul points out that God was not referring to Abraham’s physical descendant but his descendants through the promise. Abraham was asked to believe the promise that he would have a son and through that son, he would have many descendants. God was pointing Abraham to the Son, Jesus.
God still points all people to his Son. It is only through Jesus that we are saved. Jesus poured out God’s mercy on us. Nothing that we can do or want to do will gain us eternal life. Only through God’s mercy shown in Jesus are we given every blessing from God - forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.
This is the important message of the gospel. Let’s share it with everyone we can, so that all people may hear of God’s mercy.
Our song for today is “Not by Works” by Jeff Polen