"'...your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.' Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?'
And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"
(ISAIAH 6:7-8)

Acts 9:1-18; James 2:14-26
Isaiah saw the LORD, and he cried out, “Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips…” (v. 5). Notice the change in Isaiah’s theology between verses 5 and 8, above. He turns instantly from guilt to willing obedience. In the same way, Christ brought Saul to his knees on the Damascus Road and gave him new birth. Saul (who became Paul) instantly left legalism – where only his obedience could lead to life – and clung to the Gospel – where God-given new life leads to obedience.


This truth was the big idea behind the Reformation. Martin Luther, John Calvin and others rediscovered the biblical teaching that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone, and not by our works. But as James says in 2:17, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Salvation is by faith alone, but that faith doesn’t stand alone. It is always followed by godly works. We all know we aren’t perfect. We sin daily. But in Christ, we long to willingly follow Him in godliness and obedience.



Scripture Focus

Acts 9:1-18; James 2:14-26

Insight

DO YOU DESIRE TO FOLLOW CHRIST? TO WORSHIP HIM AND STUDY HIS WORD? BE COMFORTED AS THIS IS GOD'S SPIRIT WORKING WITHIN YOU.

Bible In A Year

  • Ezekiel 35-36
  • Psalm 148
  • 1 Timothy 5-6

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