As an early twenty-something, I loved crafting handwritten letters. Throw in some turquoise calligraphy ink and a wax seal, and you had an elegant artifact from the past. Letters have a level of intimacy and importance that texts simply can’t convey, and each letter is a labor of love.
During this letter-writing phase, I also had what you might call a spiritual crush on the apostle Paul (C. S. Lewis was a close second, but, you know, he can’t compete with an actual apostle.) Paul’s legendary passion for truth was compelling, and as a twenty-something weaving together a worldview, his letters served as models for discipleship in my life. One evening at Starbucks, I handed out “epistles” to my friends—handwritten notes of encouragement that challenged them to persevere with hope.
The book of Galatians is considered one of Paul’s most intense epistles. Although his language was strong and corrective, it was also a labor of love. His intent wasn’t to admonish the Galatians just to cool his head; it was to expose a false gospel that had begun seeping into the community. This false gospel was reverting back to justification through law. When Paul called these people “foolish” and like those with “a spell” cast over them (Galatians 3:1), it’s because their version of the gospel had them in bondage. With a sharp prod, he pushed back against their habits. “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law,” asked Paul, “or by believing what you heard?” (v.2).
Though they had first believed the Spirit through hearing, they soon sought salvation through human performance again. I admit, I understand the temptation. Following a law is so much easier because it’s a visible, measurable act. But the realm of belief? Well, that can feel far more terrifying—a mere “whistling in the dark,” as Frederick Buechner puts it. But Abraham’s promise of faith is more than just a haunted optimism. It’s the very foundation of his covenant with God (vv.7–9).
As an apostle of Christ, Paul’s role spurred him to awaken people out of disobedience by calling out ungodly behavior. Yet as an apostle of Christ, he wasn’t calling them out from a place of anger or indifference. He was moved with compassion over how their efforts were sabotaging their own freedom.
Because it was for our freedom that Christ came.
It’s hard to trust God if we distrust his method of salvation. The promise of faith is a gift, but goodness gracious, it is hard to accept sometimes. When we surrender our own strength or desires to control the outcome and give ourselves over to the work of the Spirit, true freedom awaits. Let’s keep walking that obedience together.
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81 thoughts on "Justification Through Faith"
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Romans 4, 20 to 21 when I’m behind most favorite scriptures ever. Abraham was not blessed because of his deeds or his attempt to have a child through Sarai’s “maid”, but because he continued to, and maintain his faith in God and as seemingly silly and impossible, promise. The reward for his belief? Lots of grace and mercy from God’s favor, countless ancestors, and more! Let us not try to earn our way into the heavenly kingdom, but our righteousness from our obedience to God and whatever way He guides us.
He was moved with compassion over how their own efforts were sabotaging their freedom!!! Wow that’s a word! How often do I make things more complicated than they need to be? How often do we sabotage our lives for the chaos of it? Lots of things to ponder here! Thanking God for Paul and his compassion!
Falling back into operating in human performance is sometimes subtle and so easy to do instead of relying of the grace of God.
Praying for Gayle today. Praying for healing and restoration in her body. Praying for God’s peace. Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplementation let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which passes all understanding guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus. I will have nothing but water till dinner.
Yes, Amen!
I have a question about the Romans passage. Abraham did try to have a baby with his servant right? I find it interesting that Paul doesn’t mention that in Romans. He just says his faith was unwavering. Why do you think that is? Not sure if it’s important, just find it interesting
Yeah, that is weird that he proclaims it was unwavering. I believe it was his wife, that had him be with her servant, that wavered, but he listened. And it caused lots of unneeded anguish for all around. We need someone else to explain that aspect.
Years ago I had a baby out of wedlock. (that’s what we called it back then). I asked God what He wanted me to do – keep it or give it up for adoption. I thought I heard Him say give it up for adoption. So I went thru a lawyer, picked out parents, then waited for the time of her delivery. I had faith in God, and I believed that I had heard correctly. But, in that period of waiting, God showed me that I was wrong, that He actually wanted me to keep my baby. So I did. My baby turned 40 earlier this month. My faith in God had not wavered, but my hearing was off. I did what I believed God was directing me to do. But my hearing was off. I’m SO THANKFUL that I finally heard God correctly, and that I made the decision to keep my baby. She has been such a blessing to me!! And she’s a success story. (that’s another story). Our faith can be strong, but we can hear God wrong. This may have been the case with Abraham.
my simple-minded opinion is that Paul did not find that relevant to his point of Romans 4. Paul had already established in Romans 3 that ALL have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard (vs. 23). Also, Sarai was the one that insisted to Abraham that Hagar bear their child. That could also be why Paul didn’t condemn Abraham for it and mention it. That ALL included Abraham, Sarah, you, me and the entire world. Which, is encouraging to me that God looks past my sin, even after my promise to believe in Him by faith.
Also, to clarify…when I say “God looks past my sin”, I mean when I CONFESS and ask for forgiveness, He remembers it no more!
Hello Shes
Alas, we who constantly strive, to quest, to prove, to earn. Instead of resting in the glorious gift of His Grace.
Oh, what needless troubles I bear. How wearisome. How self-defeating. Shouldn’t I know by now, it’s not my human performance that produces salvation. But submission. Faithfulness. Staunch belief in Him and His promise.
Lord, in Your Mercy, free me from all manner of foolishness, and find rest in Your redeeming LOVE.
Amen & Amen
I totally agree with you, Gwineth52. We live in a culture that depicts our value by what we do, so it’s hard to think that God isn’t the same way. He assigns value to us simply because we are. Simple faith in Him is all that’s required. Simple. We try so hard to make things complicated.
Thank you Lord for your love, mercy and grace.
Praying for Gayle. ❤️
Hhmm..exposing a false gospel that is seeping into the community. Don’t we see that happening all around us? Sometimes I sit back and think how much better their lives could be if only..but I’m afraid to go up against them. They fight hard and I don’t feel equipped enough for it.
Walking by faith is such a counter cultural experience. I’m writing out “ my story” for my children. Faith is the retelling of the events of my life. A sort of BC and AD . How life was lived in the world and how it was transformed by the love of God by faith. It is natural to look back on the reality of what was, but faith holds me so I can keep looking up to Him. Jesus is my reality, he wants me to be real with him step by step!
I have faith for Gayle today, being a survivor of stage 4 cancer❤️All glory to God.
❤️ yes step by step and it’s all God ! Thank you Diane for sharing your miracle, so glad for you!
Love that! I think we should ALL be writing our testimony down for our loved ones to read!! I had such an amazing time recounting my BC and AC for a book of a friend’s. Our testimony is so valuable to leave, more precious than gold!! They may not believe in Jesus, but they can’t discount YOUR story! Makes me want to start writing mine out now for my grands and loved ones!! I told my husband he could just come to read SRT comments from me for the last 6 years, haha.
Oh I’d love to do this too!
Thank you BAILEY, for shining the light of truth on this subject! How sweet it is to be reminded that FAITH PRECEDED THE LAW! Adam had a personal relationship with the Holy God. Abraham had an intimate knowledge, belief, and FAITH in the Holy God. Yes, the law came from God to be a guide to holy living, but it wasn’t intended to replace a personal, intimate experience with the One True God.
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I like how Barnabas Piper ended the devo on HRT:
“Paul ended this section with the clarifying, defining words: “those who have faith, these are Abraham’s sons” (Galatians 3:7). He did not dismiss the significance of Abraham or God’s promise to him. Instead, he clarified it. Abraham was promised to be the father of a great nation through whom all the nations of the world would be blessed (Gentiles, like me and most of you). How does this happen? Through Jesus, the offspring of Abraham
We are made right in the eyes of God by faith in Jesus and no other way, no other action, no other law. So it is that faith folds us into the family of Abraham, the people of God.”
The FOUNDATION of FAITH – what a great way to start the week and a reminder of this great hymn (1st and 2nd verse)
“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said—
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
“Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.
and the last verse…
“The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose,
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”
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GAYLE – You are in my heart and prayers for God’s all encompassing peace to be undeniable in this time of need. ❤❤
It is Tuesday. (I fasted my iPhone and iPad yesterday in the fast we did for Gayle… no podcasts, no games, no nothing! My prayers throughout the day for Gayle helped remind me of just. how. much. I use technology every day. I missed my SRT reading and podcast for the week.)
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That song is now stuck in my head. Of course, there could be worse things…
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I wonder how Paul would have finagled social media? We can easily throw out our own truths online and debate, and go back and forth behind the screen. For Paul, he traveled and didn’t get the constant feedback and scorn from his letters…!
Today we love to use the Love word, love everyone, show love…yes yes..BUT Jesus He love everyone while correcting and pointing to God. They were going astray or on the wrong path. Then it was left to the apostles and his disciples (what’s the difference, I don’t know?) to GO and TELL. Tell the correct way to all…This is our mission. So we can’t fall back to love, we tell (in love and correction) Best leave it to those they can do it well, no, it is left to me as well. How can I improve? Know God’s word, meditate on it day and night…and be LED BY the SPIRIT, not the flesh! Spend time in Prayer before speaking. The words are power, and you can’t really take them back. The negative usually plays over the positive, so make sure love, although passionate love, is behind them!
Let’s be a light, but also BOLD and Strong, Courageous Christians. Look where our nation has gone from being too loving. It has not helped. I don’t want to go back to hell and brimstone preaching alone…but it’s kinda needed! How can we preach love without a warning of an eternity of Hell. I don’t want that for my family and friends. When we die, the time to choose is over. And furthermore, I don’t want Christian not living in the fullness of all God can do in their Lives!! I’m telling you, the last two years of FINALLY being Spirit led and out of my own flesh…THINGS ARE LIT! It is a fire and passion I have NEVER know!! All Glory to God!! Thank you Lord, for when I move out of comfort into FAITH and Passionate love and fire for YOU, I die to myself and come ALIVE FOR YOU!! Oh how blessed I am!!
Love you She’s. Fasting for Gayle today and fervently praying for her cancer to be gone. Go to our facebook to leave your prayers and what you are giving up today in fasting!
Joining you in the fast and prayers.
I love your passion, Rhonda J. I feel the same way. Love and Truth MUST go together, otherwise, we aren’t really loving our friends and family. If we love them in their sin and never tell them truth about sin and repentance and eternity, then is that actually love? We have been living this out with our daughter to the best of our ability. God miraculously moved in her heart (we don’t know the story yet about how and why that happened) but she is back in our lives! Her story is to be continued. But I know that she never once felt our approval of her sin and now she is out of it and has come back to us! If we have caved, if we had “loved the sinner, hated the sin” but acted like it was no big deal, would we have the same result now? Who knows? I certainly don’t want it to seem as though it was US who brought her back. I know it was God, because it was truly a miracle, out of nowhere. But my husband and I did our best to stay faithful to what God wanted us to do. And truth be told, without my husband leading the charge, I probably would have caved a few times, because I missed her so much and at times my faith was weak.
“Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
Genesis 15:6 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/gen.15.6.NIV
This verse stood out to me Abraham believed. That was it. We can at times try so hard to earn our salvation through works but it is in “Christ Alone.” How beautiful to rest in just that.
Praying for Gayle today and all of you beautiful ladies!
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Praise! My new nephew was born this morning. My sister and her little one are healthy and happy.
Woohoo!
Congratulations
Congratulations! Praise God! Every new life, a creation from the living God, is just precious!
Amen
This is the second time today that I heard of someone having a “spiritual crush” on C.S. Lewis!
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“The scripture foresaw that God would justify the gentiles by faith…” (Galatians 3:8) Praise God that the gospel was given for us (gentiles) just the same as it was given to the Jewish nation!
Where would we be without God’s grace, mercy and love! Oh how He loves us!!
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We sang this song at church yesterday – one of my favorites, “God Really Loves Us” by Crowder
I’ve got a friend
Closer than a brother
There is no judgement
Oh, how He loves me
I’ve got a friend
And He is my strength
He is my portion
With me in the valley
With me in the fire
With me in the storm
Let all my life testify
Hallelujah
We are not alone
God really loves us
God really loves us
Hallelujah
Oh, praise my soul
God really loves us
God really loves us
His mercy’s enough
His grace is sufficient
So come if you’re needing
Forgiveness or healing
His mercy’s enough
Oh, and this is our hope
The cross, it has spoken
Death is no more
Christ is the Lord
Oh, this is our hope, yeah
Hallelujah
We are not alone
God really loves us
God really loves us
Hallelujah
Oh, praise my soul
God really loves us
God really loves us
What a Father
What a Friend
What a Savior He is
What a Father
What a Friend
What a Savior He is!
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Be blessed today sisters! Praying for Gayle today. ❤️
Your last line “Where would we be without the gospel”…brought that song to mind..”For the Love of God” by Andrew Ripp
How could it be, I’m living with an infinite worth
And the one I thought I’d choose had really chosen me first
And every time I think about, every time I thought was the end
Ooh, I’m caught up in wonder again
Where would I be?
Where would I be if it wasn’t for the love of God?
(If it wasn’t for the love of God) ooh yeah-yeah
This song of victory is
Now mine to sing
Hallelujah for the love of God
Has set me free
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I too, have a “spiritual crush” on Paul, Bailey Gillespie LOL. And CS Lewis would be in my top 5 as well. This part of her devotional jumped out at me: As an apostle of Christ, Paul’s role spurred him to awaken people out of disobedience by calling out ungodly behavior. Yet as an apostle of Christ, he wasn’t calling them out from a place of anger or indifference. He was moved with compassion over how their efforts were sabotaging their own freedom.
I have moved more and more to this line of thinking. I want so much to be a truth seeker and a truth teller. But I struggle to LIVE truth so many times. But it is my heart’s desire, Lord.
As I was reading these scriptures, it really solidified the thing that God is always saying to His people. It’s not about YOU, it’s about ME. If we are following rules and trying to work our way into Heaven, we can pat ourselves on the back. To accept God’s grace and mercy takes us out of the equation. It’s all about HIM. Putting our SELF aside, even when it seems like WE are doing good things, like following rules. So much to learn….
Praying with you all today for Gayle!
Yes! Same Laura to all!
I for sure would have been a groupie for Paul! And I have such a strong urge to stand against false gospels and Law following Christians. Not that we all don’t fall back into striving and showing our love for Christ in the doing, yet it should be a labor of love as a result of what He has done for us! It is hard to be “Strong and Corrective” without sounding like we think we know everything, but truly I want, need people to not be going down a false road that does them spiritual harm. Once we believe, we have to have a Spirit led life. We cannot, can NOT do it in our own. It is a battle against flesh, the devil every day, to put on our armor, and be led by the Holy Spirit. But thank goodness for Paul’s letters and corrections to the church!! We HAVE to have those kind of leaders today as well!!
Thank you for sharing how YOU are standing firm in the Word when it’s not easy!!
This was such a good reading to start the week with!
Yes and amen! ❤️
Gayle – praying for you today!
Why is it so easy to accept gifts from earthly family and friends but sometimes so hard to accept all the wonderful gifts from our loving, gracious Heavenly Father?
Praying for Gayle today!
Hey Linda, my thoughts, my experience.
We keep looking to our left or right
at earthly things, people, places…
We’ve earned our keep…
We’re getting our due…
We’ve balanced the equation…
We’ve checked the boxes…
We count it all good …
instead of looking up to Him.
Good morning Shes! My summer is over, it’s back to work with an in-service day today. Students report on Wednesday. My teens attend a private high school and do not go back until Friday. How’s that for a back-to-school week?!?! Although I work at a public school with tweens who desperately need Jesus, I am blessed to work with many educators who are fellow believers, and we talk about our faith and share prayer needs often.
Along the lines of Romans 4:21 – He was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do. – A few years ago, I stopped asking God to be with me whenever I was doing something because He’s never not with me. Instead, I thank Him that I do not have to ask Him to be with me and for never leaving or forsaking me. Now there are times of heavy decisions that I ask Him to go before me, because I don’t want to go where He isn’t. I think knowing that I don’t have to ask Him to be there helps me to remember His promise of never leaving, if that makes sense.
~Praying for Gayle
Praying for you, and all the teachers here as they go back to school. ❤️
Praying for a good year for you Thank you for serving in the public school.
I pray continually for our teachers and it’s so encouraging to have believing teachers like you in our public schools. My daughter attended private Christian schools and it was interesting that some of her fellow students’ parents were public school teachers. Blessings for your school year!
“The promise of faith is a gift, but goodness gracious, it is hard to accept sometimes. “ as read that statement from Bailey my thought was yes it is. In our world we’ve been taught to strive and work for our rewards. I think it can make God’s grace and mercy hard to accept because what did I do to earn it. But God loves us so He gives us this gift of salvation. Thank you Lord for your love, grace and mercy!
This Saturday, I went to a reunion of my paternal grandmother’s family. I had only met a few members before this time, and the host seemed leery of my heritage. I spent the first hour or two of the party anxious to prove myself worthy of being there. Everything I did was motivated by that. When talking with people, I listed every family member I could think of. To show that I came from the musical part of the family, I sang karaoke. Through all this striving, my husband kept reminding me, “You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. You know this is your family. Just be yourself.” When I relaxed and stopped trying so hard, I could laugh, joke, and be comfortable. Talk of memories flowed like water. It was a very healing day for all of us. At the end of the day, one of my cousins said, “Of course you’re related! As soon as you walked up the driveway, I said to myself, ‘That is Joan’s granddaughter!'”
In the same way, we don’t need to work so hard to prove we belong to Christ. We are His by faith, just as much as Abraham was. We just need to live out of the love we have been given. It is easier said than done when the enemy’s lies that we need to do or be more for Christ are so loud. Lean into God’s word to hear what is true: we believe and we are His.
Dear Shes, I love you and will continue to pray for a strengthening of faith, healing, and provision for all of you and your families.
Colleen! This is such a beautiful story to relate to today’s reading! I love what your husband said and how you relaxed and were able to be yourself. What freedom! Thank you for sharing and I’m so happy for you that you were able to meet that side of your family and build lifelong bonds.
Oh Colleen, I love that you shared this, and how perfect it aligns with today’s message. I have to admit, when I read what your cousin said, it made me tear up because there is a strong bond in those words. So glad you got to get her with that side of your family.
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Colleen, thanks for sharing!!!
So Beautiful! Love to hear testimonies like this!
Atta Girl Colleen!
You exhausted yourself trying to fit in.
But when you stopped you left exhilarated.
In right relationship.
Justified by faith.
What a wise husband.
Ain’t that a mighty God?!
“Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, ‘All nations will be blessed through you’.”
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Thanks be to God that it has always been His plan to redeem all that would come to Him in faith.
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GAYLE CRAIK – praying you are strengthened today by God’s power and filled with His peace
Trusting in the truth of my salvation, praying to walk in obedience.
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‘Trust and Obey’ comes to mind this morning, and there truly is no other way.
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And here are the lyrics to In Christ Alone, Stuart Townend & Keith Getty, 2001. This one draws me in every time I hear it.
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In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.
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In Christ alone! – who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied –
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.
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There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine –
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.
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No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand:
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.
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Praying for Gayle today.
One of my all time favorites! I love the build up, and when the church starts clapping and praising on the last part!
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Last December I saw the Getty’s in concert, they sang this song – It was amazing!
Beautiful song Searching. Praying you are feeling better lately and gained wisdom for your heath. Praying for Gayle.
This is one of my favorites too!
I so love this song. Thank you for sharing Searching.
I can get so caught up in doing things for “outward” reasons instead of clinging to the truth brought by Jesus. This was a great reminder.
Same, Stephanie. When she talked about the law being a visible and measurable way to see if we’re being ‘holy’ enough, that stung. I fall into that a lot.
I am so thankful for this reminder that faith is a gift from God. It is not something I have to manufacture or come up with on my own. It’s all God.
Lord, I pray that I can rest in this truth. Thank you for the gift of faith. Keep me from trying to “prove” my faith through my works.
I love You, Father God.
Amen
Romans 4:21 (NLT)- “He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises.”
Thank you, Lord. You will not fail. You will always keep Your promises. God is not only able to do whatever He promises, He WILL do whatever He promises. Amen!
Blesses Monday dear Sisters.
Tricia, that verse stood out to me as well. How often I forget God’s promises and turn to worry, fear, and control.
The same verse and thoughts captured my attention as well. Our world is so broken, being able to do something and being willing to do something are two different things. When it comes to a promise, God is always both.
Yes!
Amen!
Yes, Tricia
Reminding me of the virgin Mary’s song…
”Blessed is she who has believed the Lord will accomplish what He has told her”.
Thank you for the devotional, Bailey.
“…the God who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist.” Romans 4:17
Amen. My heart rejoices over this truth this morning!
That verse jumped out to me too!
Same here :)