Christian Prayers & Resources

inspired by the Celtic Christian Church

August

Galatians 2:15-21 (New International Version)

"We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

"If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"

WHO DO WE TRUST?

There cannot be many who have never been let down in their life by someone; not just that used car dealer or street trader but maybe a friend, colleague or family member in whom trust had been placed. The strength of any relationship can be measured by how much we trust another person.

v21b ‘for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"

At the centre of our faith is the belief that when Christ hung on the Cross, that which was nailed to that tree and died with him was the sin that separated humankind from God. Our natural inclination is to think that the only way to re-establish a broken relationship with God is by doing something, and that’s the attraction of ‘The Law’ because by following a rulebook we’re in control. But Jesus says ‘No! Trust me, walk with me to the Cross and beyond.’

Don’t be afraid of losing control, because it’s at that point that you are able to grasp, through faith, the hand that Jesus offers. Paul had been there. ‘The life I live in the body,’ he says ‘I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me’

Lord, help us to trust you in all things