By Faith alone

For many years, I thought that my good behavior would earn me heaven. That by making good decisions, going to mass, confessing, not sinning, helping others, God would accept me and even love me. I lived by the law of Moses (which is necessary), but I forgot that the law, doing good things and good works were never supposed to save me. God had already planned my salvation and redemption through Jesus Christ.

When I accepted Jesus as my friend, my Savior, my counselor, my path, I understood that there is nothing I can do to earn God’s favor since I already have victory with Jesus who died for my sins and rose again to give me a new life in Him. That my efforts are nothing if I do not remain in Him.

You see, I was raised in a religion that, although it is the same faith, living in religion distracted me from staying in Jesus since I was so worried about all my efforts and actions that I thought would lead me to God. However, there is nothing I can do in the past, present or future because the only “work” that can save me is the sacrifice that Jesus already completed on the cross.

I was reading Romans 10 this morning and can identify with the people of Israel:

“Not knowing the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God’s righteousness” (Romans 10:3 NIV). I was living in ignorance. Even though I knew the Word and the law, I thought I had to earn God’s favor.

But the verses don’t end there. Romans 10:4 says,

“In fact, Christ is the end of the law, so that everyone who believes may receive righteousness.” Thank you Jesus!

Every year, I pray & meditate on a word to guide me. This year my word is: Remain.

My prayer is to abide and remain in Jesus and recognize that it is only by faith that I already have the grace, favor and love of God through Jesus who is my only Savior.

What is your word for the year?

Shalom,

Maria ✌🏽