JULY 20, Galatians 3:10, Romans 7:7

Long ago, I asked my children, “How do you go heaven?” One answered, “By keeping the 10 Commandments.” Another quipped, “Be a good boy.” This was the Jews’ way of thinking too. Can keeping the 10 Commandments save you? “Yes, if you are able to keep it PERFECTLY”

A young ruler once came to Jesus and said, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” When Jesus listed out the 5th – 9th commandments, he said proudly, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?”

But Jesus saw that he has broken the first commandment – to have no other gods before the Almighty Lord – because this rich young ruler loved and worshipped money way above any love for God. He was already very wealthy, perhaps also coveted for more riches and was not willing to let it go. He went away sad and mostly importantly, unsaved.

So, what’s the use of God giving us the 10 Commandments? It is not so much to save us but to show us our sins! We see how weak we are, how sinful we are because we keep breaking them though we try. The law condemns us to hell each time we sin.

Death is the punishment for sin but instead of us dying, God the Father sent His Son to die on our behalf. We are saved NOT by keeping the law but by GRACE through faith in Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins and His resurrection. 

Thought: Heaven will not be filled with proud people boasting how they have kept the law. Heaven will be filled with humble people who know they have sinned but saved by the grace of God.

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank You for freeing me from the condemnation of the law by sending Your Son to die for my sins. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.