Friday, August 24, 2012

Weekly Devotional - August 24, 2012

“I have declared to both Jews and Greeks
that they must turn to God in repentance
and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”
Acts 20:21 NIV

What does it take to be right with God? That’s a question that gets a variety of answers in response. The most common response I hear is that being right with God requires living according to a certain code. Doing the right things is the key to being right with God, they say.

Some of these people never go to church and aren’t involved in a community of believers. They think that being a good person who does good deeds is the goal of life. And if they believe in an afterlife, then being and doing good opens the portal to it. Some are extremely generous and do much good for their families and for society. But are they right with God?

Others go to church as if attendance is their religion. They are more pious than others when the church doors are open. They are as worldly as anyone when the doors are closed. They think they are better than others because they do more for the church and for the Lord than anyone else. But are they right with God?

The apostle Paul was one of those in this last group prior to his conversion to Christianity. Read the first few verses of Philippians 3 and you’ll sense the arrogance he once had. But keep reading in that chapter and you’ll learn what he thinks about empty piety and meaningless religion.

Paul knew what it meant to be against the Lord and he knew what it meant to be right with God. Two words: repentance and faith. Repentance is turning away from your sin and following God. Faith is dependent trust that following Jesus is the path of righteousness. Only through repentance and faith (both - one alone won’t work!) is a person right with God.

Are you right with God? Have you turned to him in repentance and placed your faith in Jesus? Pray that God will save you as you turn to him in repentance and faith.

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