Daily Devotional for Saturday, January 11

The Purpose of the Law

"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin;' Romans 3:19, 20.

''Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!" These familiar words of the classic hymn ''Amazing Grace" still bless the hearts of believers in worship services each Lord's Day. Other songs such as "Wonderful Grace of Jesus" and "Grace Greater Than Our Sin" remind us of the riches of God's grace available to the repentant sinner who calls in faith upon the name of our Savior.

However, as sweet and wonderful as the grace of God is, its sweetness fails to be appreciated by many. Perhaps youhave friends and even family who are unmovedby the prospects of God's grace? Do they not understand what the grace of God can do for them?

Jesus addressed this issue in Matthew 9:12, 13, "But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

The key to Jesus' teaching is to understand that only people who are aware of their sickness will seek out the help of the doctor. He knew the Pharisees had not received Him, the Great Physician, due to their ignorance of their sickness, which is sin.

Today's passage reminds us that performing the deeds of the Law has no power to deliver the soul from guilt, but rather to bring us to the knowledge of our sickness, the sickness of sin.

A FINAL THOUGHT

God loves you the way you are but loves you far too much to leave you that way.

John Nations