Getting right with God

​10-12-22
Today's devotion is based on Romans 9:31,32, "But Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it … because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works."

Sometimes I think we're a bit like Israel. How do we pursue a law of righteousness or, in plainer English, say and do all the right Christian things but subtly slip into trying to pile up credit and earn his approval? How do we try to set ourselves right with God, to earn our salvation by doing things for him?
In the end, it's a losing battle because nothing we can ever do could begin to repay what God has done for us.
 The hymn Rock of Ages* sums it up pretty well too:

Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfill your law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone:
You must save, and You alone.

What a relief to stop trying so hard and instead focus on just how incredibly loved we are by our Heavenly Father. Each time we look at the cross in worship, we can say, If God loves me like that, I can trust him with my life and soul.

Please pray with me: Thank you, Jesus, that you alone did enough, loved enough, were enough. Please help me remember the price you paid so that I can be declared innocent on Judgment Day. For that, I am grateful. In your blessed name, I pray. Amen.