Don’t Miss Out
For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” Galatians 2:19-21
Insight
The law could never do for us what Christ did on the cross. If it could, then as Paul wrote above, Christ died for nothing. Here’s some truth about me: I’m a rule follower, especially when playing games. My sweet family tolerates me on game night. I’ll call a mid-turn time-out in a heartbeat to make sure we are following the rules. Every time I do this, my kiddos release a heavy sigh followed by an elaborate eye roll. They are quick to remind me that I miss out on our time together because I’m always reading over the rules.
This can happen so quickly in my walk with God if I’m not intentional. It’s easy to revert to an Old Testament mindset and work hard to follow God’s commands. But when will I have time to look up to heaven if I’m always staring at the rules? And what will I miss out on?
God didn’t create rule-followers; He made God followers. We are called to fellowship with God, to come under (or submit to) His rule of love, and follow Him. And when we do this, we stay in step with His will, living the full and free life intended from the beginning. To obey God is to trust God, and it all starts with surrender. The word ‘surrender’ can have a negative sway when we look at it as giving something up. I believe, however, that when we surrender, we gain something. When we submit, we find joy in obedience, for we discover who God truly is—a good and loving Father.
Paul realized the law couldn’t save him. I love how The Message version translates verse 19. It reads, “What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn’t work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man.” How freeing!
God doesn’t want or require perfection, us working hard to get it right all the time; He wants us, failures and all. His grace is sufficient for all our shortcomings and mishaps. While He meets us exactly where we are, He loves us too much to leave us there. He’s extending His able hand, saying, "You follow me and I will make your path straight; I will show you the way, don’t miss out."
Reflection
Have you ever sought out God’s approval through your performance or being rule compliant? If so, how did it make you feel? Was it freeing or frustrating?
To obey God is to trust God, and it all starts with surrender. What do you need to surrender today? Can you trust God to help you in the process?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the sacrifice You made by sending Your Son Jesus to have the final say over sin, to redeem and restore what has been broken. There’s no depth You wouldn’t plunge, no height You wouldn’t climb to have our hearts. Help us believe this and trust that Your love for us has no end. Give us the courage to follow You, to not go back to our old ways and habits, but to keep in step with the Spirit for continued guidance. In Your name, we pray, Amen.
Mandy Hughes, Port City’s Refuge Coordinator, wrote today’s devotional.
