Justification by Faith, Not by Works
(Day 3 of Lent – 20 Feb 26)
“He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” (Galatians 3:14)
In Galatians, the Apostle Paul rebukes the believers for turning away from faith in Christ and returning to reliance on the law. He reminds them that they received the Holy Spirit not by obeying the law, but by believing the gospel.
Using Abraham as an example, Paul teaches that righteousness has always come through faith. He concludes that Jesus Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law so that the blessing promised to Abraham could come to all people—Jew and Gentile alike—through faith.
This Chinese New Year, I had the opportunity to speak with a relative who shared about his encounters with Christians. He spoke honestly about how disappointed he felt after seeing the behaviour of some believers in church.
As we talked, the Holy Spirit prompted me to speak words of encouragement and truth. I reminded him that all human beings are sinners, including Christians. Sadly, even those who worship in church can still fall short in their conduct. Yet these experiences should not cause us to lose heart. Instead, they remind us that our faith must be placed not in people, but in the Lord Jesus Christ.
May such encounters lead us to pray for wisdom and discernment. May they also strengthen our resolve to keep our eyes on Christ, rather than on the failures of others.
For salvation is not something we earn by obeying religious rules. It is a gift of grace, received through trusting in Jesus Christ.
Winston Tay🙏✝️
Lighthouse Cell