F O O T H O L D
READING
79 GOD'S WAY
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PRAY Give me a fresh sense
of your great love for me, heavenly Father.
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READ Romans 3:21-31.
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THINK Try to write your own
description of God's grace using some of
the ideas in this reading.
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FOCUS 'Smallpox Eradicated'
was a bold headline in the world's news in
the 70s. How was it done?
Not by building hospitals for smallpox
victims or producing
ointments to cover their sores: the World
health Organisation went out
to destroy the germs themselves and
their carriers. Paul has
described the root cause of the world's
deeper troubles - SIN; so
now he tells us the only way it can be
dealt with.
1. WHAT GOD HAS DONE (21-26).
Three times in this paragraph the
name of Jesus is stated -
for he is God's answer to man's sin.
Verse 24 is the good news in
one sentence; instead of man's
useless attempts to put
himself right by obeying religious rules
and regulations, God has
graciously provided another way; it is
the most amazing free gift
ever offered. We are put right with
God through Jesus, who
offered himself as a sacrifical offering
for our sin. 'Grace' - God's
free favour - is the key word.
Although this plan was
revolutionary, the Old Testament shows
that it was intended by God
right from the beginning.
2. WHAT WE MUST DO (27-31).
How can we get the benefit of what
Christ has done for us?
'Faith' is the key word here. A starving
refugee's empty hands
stretched out to receive a gift of food.
This passage contains many
deep thoughts. But even a child can
receive a gift. Have you?
Many people make the mistake of trying
to EARN God's forgiveness. A
gift can seem too good to be true!
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PRAY "Nothing in my
hands I bring"; but in my heart there is gratitude
and love, O God; help me to
obey you.
