You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
It is very important for citizens to know the laws of their country - but there are no prizes for keeping the law. The law only functions when we break it – and then its role is to identify our failure and the punishment which we deserve. The same is true with God’s law. Of course, if we keep His Word then we stay in relationship with Him and can enjoy His blessings. But the problem is that none of us can keep any part of God’s law perfectly – so the law keeps condemning us.
That is why the law given through Moses was inadequate. Failure was inevitable, even for the most religious person. God’s solution is found in Jesus: He allowed himself to suffer the punishment for our rebellion and law-breaking so that we might repent and receive forgiveness (see www.crosscheck.org.uk). The consequence for those who trust in Jesus is that we are entitled to receive one blessing after another. He is still as strong for the truth as the law had been, but He brought a dynamic of grace which we could never deserve. Grace has been used as a mnemonic – ‘God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense’.
Jesus Christ is amazing! He stands firm for the truth but, unlike any of us, He has demonstrated what God’s truth looks like in practice in His earthly life. But He has also brought us many blessings through His love and grace. Yet we pursue Him not in order to get blessing for ourselves, but because He is so wonderful. These are magnificent reasons to trust in Him, and wonderful reasons to worship Him with our whole lives (Romans 12:2 ). They are also very important reasons to advertise Him to the whole world; starting where we live and work. So, today, ask the Lord to open an opportunity for you to tell somebody else about the wonderful, truth-embodying, grace-delivering Saviour who is still showering us with blessings upon blessings.
Prayer: Almighty God. Thank You that in Jesus Christ I have a Saviour who does not condemn me when I repent and ask for mercy. Thank You that through Him I know His grace through the truth of Your Word and through the many blessings You give me, none of which I deserve. I repent of my lack of awe and worship in His presence, and for the times I have withheld my life from His authority. Please help me to worship You today in my heart and by the way I live. And please give me an opportunity to confess Christ, and to recommend Him to my friends and colleagues and others I meet. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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