Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.” vss. 27-28

Romans 3:25b-28

We know that our salvation is by the grace of God and not through our works, but Paul also says that we are justified by faith, and sometimes that gets confusing. Some folks focus on faith and believe that it is the primary means of salvation. If they are asked about their salvation they say something like this, “Yes, I was saved when I was 16 and received Jesus into my heart at a crusade.” The emphasis is on what we do in response to God’s gift. Many times, such persons are baptized after having come to faith. Others, though, focus on grace and celebrate the fact that God’s gift of salvation has been poured out on all humanity in Christ Jesus. Faith for such people is the means by which grace becomes a reality. It is the conduit by which grace enters human hearts. Since their emphasis is on grace, they will practice infant baptism and pray that their children will one day come to faith. While these distinctions seem minor, they have in fact had a divisive influence within the Church and cannot be easily resolved. It’s a blessing when we can put aside differences and give wholehearted thanks to God for the gift of grace, and then also celebrate faith whenever and wherever it appears.

Thought for the Day: Am I a “grace” or a “faith” person?

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