“So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”” (Galatians 3:11, NLT)
Martin Luther was one of the most sincerely religious people in all the world. He prayed. He studied. He devoted his life to God. He went on pilgrimage. He checked all the boxes that any good Christian would check.
But something was not right. Martin Luther was a troubled soul. He was overwhelmed with guilt. He lived in fear of God. He did not see God as someone to love, but someone to please.
You can have two people doing the same thing for two very different reasons. You can have two people sitting in a pew on a Sunday morning with different motivations. One may be there for all the right reasons, and one may be there for all the wrong reasons.
What is your motivation?
Religion will tell us 1) believe in God. 2) obey God. 3) you will be saved.
The gospel tells us 1) believe in God. 2) you will be saved. 3) obey God.
Do you see the difference? It is all the same, but not. The order is what matters. Do we live in obedience to God to be saved or because we have been saved? Religious obedience will produce joyless obedience. It leads to arrogance and pride. Gospel obedience will produce joy. It leads to modesty and humility.
God loves us because of what Jesus did. God does not love us because of what we do. He loves us because of who he made us to be.
Luther discovered the order of the gospel. It changed everything. It changed Luther, and it would change the world.
I recently had a church member come to me and share that they were getting older and they wanted to make a difference. They wanted their life to matter and leave the world a better place. In this instance, we can learn from Luther. Discovering significance starts with discovering significance in what God has done for you.
Reflection
- Is your obedience to God based on guilt rather than the joy and gratitude?
- How do you discover significance in life?
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the gospel – the good news of Jesus Christ. Thank you for my salvation. I will not be ashamed for I know that the gospel is the power of salvation for all who believe. As I seek to live significant, guide me to find my significance in you. Amen.
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