Daily Devotionals

“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law
but under grace? Certainly not!
(Romans 6:15).

To believe or to obey – what comes first? The answer is of utmost importance, because understanding of the harmony between believing and obeying allows us to differentiate between freedom and licentiousness.

There is no doubt that believing comes first, because sinners are dead in their sins and a dead person cannot do anything. We have already seen that we are justified by the grace of the Lord, which we receive by faith; like a completely sunken ship which has been made to float again and needs to navigate toward its destination. Some think that we are justified by faith and sanctified by works.

But obedience is also a result of faith,
which leads us to life in dependent on the Lord.

We have complete freedom to do what is right. There is no freedom to do wrong. Those who do not use the freedom in a responsible manner within the scope of the law lose their freedom.

There is a true and a false freedom. Adam and Eve lived a false freedom; they did not subject themselves to the will of God and stopped being free. They fell into licentiousness and became slaves to sin. Licentiousness is the abuse of freedom, to do what you want without rules, or respect for the law.

If we break the law that protects us, we lose our freedom, because the same law that protects the freedom of those who respect it places those who break it in jail. We are not free to disobey the law of God. Thinking that the Lord frees us so we can do what we want is to undermine Christ’s sacrifice as well as thinking that we can be saved by our own obedience.

Grace, like water, cleanses us of the filth of our sins. The job of the law, as a mirror, is to show that dirt and lead us to the water of Christ’s grace. Breaking the mirror because it is not useful for cleaning is distorting its purpose (see James 1:22-25). Then, are we going to disobey the law because we are not under the law but under grace? Paul responded, “Certainly not!” (Rom. 7:7).

Jesus did the exact thing when the woman who was caught in adultery (see John 8:1-11): He did not cleanse her with the law, but with His grace, love, and forgiving power. He revived her life from the abyss of shame and sin and then told her to go, and sin no more.

Anchor your life to Christ and His Law today.
“We do not earn salvation by our obedience; for salvation
is the free gift of God, to be received by faith. But obedience
is the fruit of faith… Here is the true test. If we abide in Christ,
if the love of God dwells in us, our feelings, our thoughts,
our purposes, our actions, will be in harmony with the will of God
as expressed in the precepts of His holy law” (Steps to Christ, p. 61).

God bless you, let’s be obedient believers…
 

“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized
into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death,
that for just as Christ was raised from the death by the glory
of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life”
(Romans 6:3-4).

To know means to understand, to have news about something, to be educated, to have the ability or capacity to do something. However, Paul challenges us in Romans 6 to know, at least, three things.

The first “know” is that we are united with Christ and His death through baptism. Sin separates us from Christ, but through baptism we are united to Him, His death and what this signifies. We are no longer under the kingdom of Adam, and now form part of the kingdom of Christ. During baptism we crucify sin in our hearts, die to the old life, and are buried, immersed alongside Him, to emerge and resurrect to a new life.

This is why baptism should necessarily be done by immersion,
so it can fulfill its meaning and so we can follow Jesus’s example.

The second “know” emphasizes the crucifixtion of our old life together with Christ. We continue to have a sinful nature, but through Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, always depending on Him, we can overcome.

The death of a slave freed him from slavery, and the believer
who dies with Christ through baptism is free from the salvery of sin.

The third “know” has to do with Christ’s resurrection. The Lord does not want to lead us only to death and the grave, but also to resurrection and a new life. Just like Christ will not return to the grave because He has overcome death, the believer also be an overcomer. Death will no longer have authority.

In conclusion, let us apply the knowledge to our life. Knowing and not applying what we know does not provide us with an advantage; on the contrary, it increases our responsibility, because “in the end, we will not be asked what we know, but what we ave done with what we know” (Jean de Gerson).

What would hinder us from applying wat we know? It could be inconsistency between words and actions, indifference, fanaticism, neglect, devaluing knowledge, prejudices, pressure, mockery, and opposition… but nothing excuses or justifies not practicing good knowledge, much less when it involves not only the present, but eternity.

Martin Luther was pressured, ridiculed, and threatened.
Even so, he never yielded his convictions gleaned from the Word of God.
He said, “My conscience is captove to the Word of God.
I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience
is neither right nor safe. Here I stand,
I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.”

God bless you, may you be filled with His knowledge and may He give you the strenght to live it out…

“Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses,
even over those who had not sinned
according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam,
who is a type of Him who was to come”
(Romans 5:14).

What is the greatest discovery in history? Some talk about fire, the wheel, or the printing press. Others say it is the computer and the Internet. But Paul, in Romans 5, talks about two events and two people who made a mark on history: “the first Adam” and “the second”: Christ.

One is a great loser, the other one, the great winner.
One is a failure; the other, victorious.
One is the one that founded and sunk the human race; the other, the One who redeems and reestablishes it.
One of them led us to death; the other leads us to life.
Because of one, we lost Eden and the eternal inheritance; through the other, we recovered the inheritance and the new Eden.
Because of one everything good ended; because of the other, everything bad will end forever.
One comes from the earth, the other comes from heaven.

Because of the disobedience of one death entered the world, and through the obedience of the other life is restored.

• Adam was tested in a beautiful garden; Christ was tempted in the desert.
• The Old Testament is the “book of the generations of Adam” (Gen. 5:1) and ends with a curse on the earth (Mal. 4:6).
• The New Testament is the “book of genealogy of Jesus Christ” (Matt. 1:1) and ends with a promise that “there shall be no more curse” (Rev. 22:3).

In summary, Adam and Christ illustrate two schools of life and two kingdoms: one is earthly, the other is heavenly.

Adam’s transgression is also ours. Literally, to “transgress” means to cross a line. And have we ever trespassed!

As descendants of Adam, we have inherited his sinful nature and its consequenses. But Christ took on our sins and suffered our punishment. Christ overcame where Adam failed.

That is why satan is a vanquished enemy, and “no one is excused
from entering the battle on the Lord’s side, for there is no reason
why man may not be an overcomer if he trusts in Christ.
‘To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne,
even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father
in His throne’ (Rev. 3:21)“ (Temperance, p. 282).
Thank You, Lord, because together we can overcome!

God bless you, let’s be overcomers in Jesus Christ!

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations,
knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
and perseverance, character; and character, hope”
(Romans 5:3-4).

How can we be happy amid tribulations? The word tribulation comes from tribulum, which was a piece of wood used to beat and separate the wheat grains from the hay, which is lighter than grain. The knocks in our life leave us grieving, afflicted, crushed, and distressed.

Neither Paul nor the Lord have promised us that we will be free of problems. Nor does the Bible promise we will be freed from the fiery furnace, but it does promise that Someone will be by our side and use this suffering to strengthen our faith, perfect our character, and lead us to testify of God’s power. We do not have to provoke suffering or seek it out, as if this would add merit for us. God is not the originator of pain; He only allows and channels it for His own purpose of eternity.

Possibly no other follower of Christ has suffered so much for the cause of the gospel as Paul. He knew from personal experience what tribulations produces: patience, endurance, and perseverance.

Sinful man sees in suffering a God who is indifferent, distant, and metes out punishment. They do not perceive the hidden meaning. Christ faced pain and injustice with courage and fortitude. The children of God, justified by His grace, rejoice in adversity because they see an opportunity for growth, greater dependence, and powerful testimony. Trials and afflictions which are borne with patience demonstrate that our faith and character are genuine. Faith is made stronger and hope firmer.

Solomon said that gold is purified by fire (Prov. 17:3). We too, are purified amid suffering if we correct our behavior and place our trust in the Lord. An old saying states: “Not all that shines is gold.” Be careful of letting yourself be swayed by appearances, because not everything that seems good or valuable is actually so! Color or shne do not guarantee it will be gold – there is tinsel, a laminate made of copper or brass which is used to make things look like gold.

Fire purifies and places our faith on trial.
Now then, when we are tested, will we also be approved?
Lord, help me to not shine like tinsel,
which seems like gold but is not;
but be like authentic gold.
May Your purpose be accomplished in me
and when my faith is tested, by Your grace may it be approved.

God bless you…

“Through whom also we have access by faith into this grace
in which we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God”
(Romans 5:2).

There was once a catastrophe in a certain city, and Dr. Victor Peto was leading a group that was providing a service in that community. Along his travels, he crossed paths with the very president of the nation; he held out his hand and told him who he was. The president, without letting go of his hand, thanked him for his work with these words: “I knew that Men of God would be here, they are always the first ones to arrive when people need help.”

Selfless service that is well done always opens doors and provides an opportunity for entry. We live in a society of closed doors and hearts. Borders have strong controls and restrictions; there are regions that are heavily guarded and some even have private surveillance; there are closed neighborhood and condominiums, with homes which are very expensive because, in theory, they are safer. There are services, contracts, keys, cars, devices, documents, and digital fingerprints that open these doors.

Only Paul uses the word “entrance” both here as well as in the book of Ephesians. Other versions of the Bible use the word “access” or “presentation in God’s own presence.” Faith opens the door so we may enter into divine grace. We do not arrive on our own, Jesus takes us by the hand.

It is like a ship entering a port, where floating buoys mark the access canal. Sometimes, because of bad weather, they are covered by the surf andthe canal is not visible. But the maritime pilot knows the depth and the pitfalls and rocks; they know what speed to go and how to guide the ship to enter safely to the desired port. Christ is our “maritime pilot,” who leads our ship to the port of God’s throne.

There are places that are only possible to enter by following a strict dress code. Christ clothed us with the garment of His justice, so we could enter a place for which we had no merit to do so. Sin closed the door for us and removed us from the glory of God. Grace opens the door and takes us to the very glory of God.

The access pass is not temporary, does not have an expiration date, and is nt subject to special visas. We have complete access. We are not taken to the King’s chamber to have an interview, but to be with Him forever.

“The Lord encourages us to lay before Him our wants
and perplexities, our gratitude and love. Every promise is sure.
Jesus is our Surety and Mediator, and has placed at our command
every resource, that we may have a perfect character”
(In Heavenly Places, p. 18).

God bless you… Remember, Jesus is the only truth, way, and life…

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ”
(Romans 5:1).

What is peace? Who has peace? The dictionary defines peace as a situation in which there is no armed conflict in a country or among countries; harmony without conflict between people; the absence of noise or hustle and bustle; the state of those who are not bothered by any conflict or disturbance. It is also the feeling of internal harmony the faithful receive from God. True profound peace comes from God and is the result of being well with Him, and by extension, with others.

In the Old Testament, the word peace is shalom, and indicates a state of complete wellbeing. This is a broad concept, that indicates spiritual peace (salvation), physical peace (health), psycological peace (integration), and social peace (justice & liberty).

Paul affirms that this true peace can only come from God. It is through Him that we receive peace. When God created life, everything lived iin harmony and peace. Sin provoked division and rebellion against God, against others, against themselves, and nature. Therefore, a state of disharmony was produced that can only be healed when we re-establish communion with God.

We all need peace. Some look for it on alternative pathways or use placebos, in other words, using substances that do not have any healing effect but can have a therapeutic effect when those who ingest it believe it is an effective medication. The pacebo does not cure the real primary disease but can only relieve the superficial symptoms.

Sin is the great distroyer of peace, in other words, a separation from God that leads us to selfishness, idolatry, fear, anxiety, and hate. Utter peace is a gift from God and can last over time through a permanent communication relationship including Bible study, prayer, mediation, and testimony.

We need peace, forgiveness, and love from Heaven. This is something that cannot be aquired with money, intelligence, wisdom, or personal effort.

“But God offers it to you as a gift, ‘without money and without price’ (Isa. 55:1).
It is yours if you will but reach out your hand and grasp it. The Lord says,
‘Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow;
though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool’ (Isa. 1:18).
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit
will I put within you’ (Ez. 36:26)” (Steps to Christ, p. 49).

Very soon peace will be definitive and eternal;
meanwhile, do not use any placebo. The remedy is unbeatable!

God bless you, may His peace be with you all the time…

“Just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes
righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds
are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man
to whom the Lord shall not impute sin’ ”
(Romans 4:6-8).

Just like Abraham, David belived, but his situation was different. He did not have good works to show; on the contrary, his actions shamed him before God and before the community. How can David be saved? There is no blessing in terms of forgiveness for the unbeliever, only for those who believe.

David quotes his well-known psalm of repentance, Psalm 32, written a year after his sad story of adultery and murder to cover up his guilt and save his image. Without doubt, it was a time of anguish, of spiritual wresteling, and a feeling of guilt, because he felt that his sacrifices were not accepted by God.

That is why David begins this psalm like this: “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Paul says that David is justified not because of the absence of sins, or because he was a good man, but because his sins are forgiven.

Psalm 32 shows a relieved David, because he now feels like a forgiven sinner. He has so much peace, that he shows the way to other sinners so that they will trust in the Lord, accept the way in which He justifies the sinner, and become cleansed by the mercy of God and the joy of salvation.

God hides from His sight the sins of the believer as if they never existed. The basis for salvation is not our innocence, but the grace of God, which does not charge the sins of the sinner to their account.

Once, there was e person who attended a Bible conference. Before coming to this conference, he had spend three months locked in in his room, tormented by guilt for his past life. When the conference was over, he thanked the pastor, but told him that he would not come again because the more he heard the worse he felt, since he considered himself outside the reach of God’s forgiveness.

As the pastor told him goodbye, he assured him that Jesus had already paid for his sins, that he needed to believe and feel forgiven, and this way he would find relief and peace. At that moment, tears rolled down his face in acceptance of forgiveness.

This person continued to attend the conference. Then he studied the Bible and was baptized along with his wife. Today, both his son and nephew are pastors.

How can we reject forgiveness, when to receive it we only need to have faith?
If the psalm said, “Blessed is the one without sin,” then no one would have hope.
Joyfully it says something else! It expresses that God does not see our sins
because they are covered by the blood of His beloved Son.
That is why those who believe are blessed: because they have been forgiven.
Experience the grace of forgiveness… Right now!

Know that you are blessed! You are forgiven! Receive it…

“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him
for righteousness”
(Romans 4:3).

Abraham was called while in Ur by God, to go to Canaan. The divine promise implied he would become the father of multitudes and his descendants would be a great nation. This promise was fulfilled, initially in Israel, and later through the church.

As a sign of the covenant and the promise, God gave Abram (a name that means “exalted Father”) a new name: Abraham, “father of a multitude” (Gen. 17:5). The patriarch was also called a “friend of God” (James 2:23) because of his faith, his obedience, his faithfulness, and his intercession.

How did Abraham gain his salvation? Paul explains what the Scripture says and shows us the good way of all matters of life: go to the Bible and see what it says. Charles Spurgeon rightly said, “A Bible that is falling aparts usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” The Scriptures say it was by faith (Rom. 4:3). Now then, the text says that “it was accounted to him.” This is an expression that implies something was “deposited” or “transferred to a personal account.” Abraham’s faith was credited to his account with God as justice.

Paul expands on this by saying that, if we consider salvation as a salary, it would be a payment or reimbursement for work that was done, a reward or payment; on the contrary, salvation is an undeserved gift. The sinner is deprived, far apart, destitude. God’s grace does not provide compensation for services rendered; instead, God provides His free gift, which must be received and accepted by faith.

The Jews had Abraham for a model of a righteous man, and Paul knew this. They thought that their works and faithfulness had led them to gain merits before God. That is why Paul gets to the very heart of the matter, to show that he is actually a model of faith and a close walk with God.

The problem has always been the same, whether in the days of Abraham, Paul, or even our own: self-sufficiency leads us to destruction. None of us wants to feel like we have needs or are dependent; we all want to get along on our own. But it is when we acknowledge our need, when we allow God to act, when we admit our illness, that the Doctor can apply the remedy, the cure, and they prove effective.

During an anguish-filled night, Abraham heard the divine voice once more:

“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield,
your exceedingly great reward” (Gen. 15:1).
The promise seemed unfulfilled, so he begged
for tangible evidence that he promise would be fulfilled.
“Then he was led outside his tent and told to look up
to the unnumbered stars glittering in the heavens; and as he did so,
the words were spoke, ‘So shall thy seed be’ (Gen. 15:5).
‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness'”
(Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 136).

God bless you. Believe, and you shall see wonders!

“Through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood,
through faith”
(Romans 3:24-25).

Known as “the man with the golden arm,” James Harrison was born in 1936 in Australia. When he was fourteen years old, he lost a lung, and survived thanks to the multiple blood transfusions he received. When he left the clinic, he promised that when he became old enough, he would become a blood donor.

Not only did he keep that promise, he has 1,173 blood donations recorded over more than sixty years. James has received multiple awards, including the Medal of the Order of Australia, one of the greatest distinctions in his country. Also, he is a Guinness World Record holder as the greatest blood donor in history.

It is moving to think about someone willing to help and save so many people by donating that vital fluid that circulates throughout the body to bring nutrients and oxigen to every system, and at the same time, carry out wastes so they can be eliminated.

However, it is even more moving to think about the One whose blood was spilled to eliminate the waste of our sins and carry the life-saving nutrition and oxygen, and, assuming the cost of our sins, die in our place.

“Blood” is a key word in helping us understand the redemptive message of the Bible, starting with the sacrifices of the Old Testament, which prefigured the Lamb of God who would carry the sins of the world (see John 1:29). More importantly, blood is undoubtedly fundamental for us to understand Christ’s work and ministry (Eph. 1:17; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:7, 12, 18).

Blood is a symbol of a life voluntarily given to rescue the sinner, and blood as the spilling of life itself. Like the word “cross,” the phrase “Christ’s blood” express Christ’s redemptive sacrifice and death. Thanks be to our Lord Christ Jesus, who was the true golden arm and is the greatest donor in the universe, we can be born again.

How can we not appreciate and make a commitment to Him?
May Spurgeon’s decision be ours also:
“If we are not willing to die for Christ,
we will find no joy in the fact that Christ died for us.”

God bless you, my dear brethren…