We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of 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 the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be 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 now 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!

Oh Lord, take a look inside my heart and see if there is any sinful or hurtful way in me. Root it out, gut it out, or tear it out of my life. Whatever it takes! For sinful thoughts and words lead to sinful actions. Sinful actions lead to evil perpetuated over time. And evil perpetuated over time leads to destruction and death.

I start this devotional with a repentant heart, because I recognize the potential for sin to slither in and steal my joy and hope and excitement about the gospel of Christ. It has happened before, and sin is always waiting for me to let my spiritual guard down. All of my human works are in vain without a heart that is after God’s heart.

Paul here brings a little “sting” with his rebuke to the Jews. His statement, “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles …” sounds a bit sarcastic to me. But this is how those who live in a righteousness of the law by works view life. They compare. They blame. They begrudge and they attack.

Later on, he makes the obvious point that if you have decided to follow Jesus, your righteousness is by faith and not by works, and to receive his grace you have to admit you are a fallen sinner under the judgment of an Almighty God.

And then comes the Truth Hammer and the standard for Christ-like living we should all seek to apply to our lives: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Am I willing to crucify my self-will, my ego, my pride, my rights, and my other sins on the cross of Christ and humbly embrace a life of faithful service to my Savior?

What do I need to give up to attain this devotion to him?