“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 6:8-9,11 NKJV
Welcome to the 16th weekly devotional recap of the year. This week, we continued our discussion on salvation by establishing why the Law was needed, the significance of Christ’s sacrifice, and how we should live out our faith.
We began on Monday by answering the question of why the Law was needed. The purpose of the Law was never to bring salvation; instead, it was established to reveal sin and prepare people for the salvation that would come through faith (Galatians 3:24-25). The Law was a prophetic revelation of the gospel, with every sacrifice and ordinance pointing to Christ (Hebrews 10:1). Its stringent requirements show our inadequacy to fulfill them (Romans 3:20; 7:7-8) and our desperate need for Christ’s sacrifice. The era of the Law has given way to the dispensation of grace, and salvation is now granted by grace through faith in Jesus alone.
On Tuesday, we learnt that Jesus’ sacrifice settled the issue of sin once and for all (Hebrews 10:12). Under the old covenant, sacrifices were offered continually, but they could never fully cleanse the heart of the worshipper (Colossians 2:17). The Law was never the cure, but the diagnosis. It made man aware of his need for a perfect Redeemer, and Jesus Christ fulfilled that need. His sacrifice wasn’t just another offering—it was the ultimate fulfilment of God’s plan of redemption (John 1:29). Unlike the priests of the old covenant who stood daily offering sacrifices, Jesus offered Himself once, and His death was substitutionary and sufficient (1 Peter 3:18).
Wednesday’s devotional showed us that even though God desires all men to receive the salvation and eternal life He offers, salvation is on definite terms (2 Peter 3:9). He is merciful, but He is also just. A good and just judge wouldn’t ignore punishment simply because a criminal is sorry. His justice demands judgment, but His mercy made a way through Jesus, providing escape from the judgment to come for all who believe (John 3:16). Now, like Noah, we have the responsibility to share this truth with the world (Colossians 1:28; 2 Peter 2:5). Jesus paid the price for salvation, and now He wants us to tell others and point them to the way of escape.
On Thursday, we learnt that we can distinguish a believer from an unbeliever by their conduct. A person cannot claim to be saved and not bear the fruits of righteousness (1 John 2:9; Titus 2:11-12). When Jesus died, the body of sin died with Him, and now we have been made new creatures in Him, empowered by His Spirit to live righteously (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is logically inconsistent to receive the gift of salvation, have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, and still walk in contradiction consistently and unrepentantly. You are free from the bondage of sin (Romans 6:2-4), so live like it.
We ended the week with a reminder that grace is not a licence to sin (Romans 6:1-2). Even though God’s grace is freely given to us, it came at the highest cost—Christ’s life. In light of this, we should live genuinely transformed lives (Titus 2:11-12). Grace should stir a desire to live differently, not recklessly. To continue in sin after receiving God’s grace is to forget the blood that was shed for our redemption. The right response is repentance, humility, and gratitude. Grace is not a license for irresponsibility, but an invitation to live a holy and surrendered life.
Dear believer, salvation is both a gift and a call to live in light of what Christ has done. The Law revealed our need, the cross met that need, and grace now empowers us to live righteously.
Have a beautiful weekend!
Bible Reading Plan: 1 Samuel 27-31; Mark 12:1-44