November 26 - Trust and Obey
November 26
Trust and Obey
Bible Reading: Galatians 3:10-14
10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 13Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),14that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
"THERE ARE JUST too many rules and commandments to remember. No one can be expected to remember all that stuff!"
Have you ever heard someone say something like that? Have you ever thought it yourself? Have you ever said it yourself?
It's true, in a way. There do seem to be a lot of commandments in the Bible: "Do not murder," "Do not steal," Do not covet," "Do not blaspheme God or curse anyone who rules over you." It seems as if it would be impossible for anyone to remember all those commands, let alone obey them all!
As a matter of fact, it was impossible for hundreds of years. Century after century, men and women tried to fulfill God's law, but century after century, they failed. Even the most godly people in the world failed: Abraham, Moses, David. If they couldn't keep all God's commands, who can?
No one--except Jesus. He's the only one who fulfilled all the commands and requirements of the law. He's the only one who never sinned.
So if you're hoping to obey every one of God's commands, give it up. It'll never happen. You can't do it. But Jesus can.
You see, that's one of the wonderful things about Jesus. He not only lived a righteous life two thousand years ago, He's living a righteous life right now. And if you are a Christian, He is living that righteous life in you through His Holy Spirit. You don't have to force yourself to obey all of God's commands. All you have to do is give yourself daily to the control of Jesus Christ. He will live the righteous life you couldn't live.
You can never hope to remember all of God's commands. But you don't have to. Jesus will do it for you and in you if you just trust Him and follow Him every day.
REFLECT: Do you think you could obey God's commands all by yourself? Why or why not? What's the difference between trying to obey God's commands and trusting Jesus to do it for you and in you? Which have you been doing? Can you do both? Explain. How can you start trusting Jesus every day to live His righteous life in you?
PRAY: "Lord, thank you for setting me free from sin. Help me to obey Your Word every moment today and to keep from sinning."