PRAY EVERY DAY - Day 4: Pastor Kjell Axel Johanson
Click here to watch the video in a new window!
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
Romans 10:4 (ESV)
The Apostle Paul opens his heart in a letter to the church in Rome. He writes in Romans 10:1 (NLT), “Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved.” And in chapter nine, he writes, “My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ!—if that would save them.” Romans 9:2-3 (NLT)
You can feel the depth of his emotion and passion for his people. Imagine how he prayed for them. Do you share such a burden for your lost friends or family members? Is it your heart’s desire to see them come to Christ? Pray every day for them. Never give up! You may get discouraged when you don’t see anything happening. When you do, keep praying! Practice what I call P.U.S.H prayers – Pray Until Something Happens.
Like the Jewish people for whom Paul prayed, you may have loved ones who believe that if they just obey the laws and live the best life they can and their good outweighs their bad, then maybe God will let them in heaven one day. The Jews had the Law of Moses and sought to justify themselves by keeping the Law. But Paul writes in Romans 10:2-4 (NLT/ESV), “I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with Himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”
What does he mean when he says that Christ is the end of the law? Dr. J. Vernon McGee said it best, “It means Christ is the goal!” Paul is saying that belief in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord brings to an end our futile quest for righteousness through our own imperfect attempts to fulfill the Law. When a sinner receives Christ, he also receives the gift of Christ's own righteousness. Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law completely and accomplished the purpose for which the Law was given. He demonstrated in His earthly life what God intended for man to be, wholly filled with God reflecting perfectly His likeness and image. He was the only one who ever fulfilled the Law completely. The Law confronts us with our need for a Savior because we’ve all broken the law, but instead of letting the law bring them to Christ, they worshipped the Law and rejected their Savior!
Think of the Law as a signpost, pointing us to the Savior. Jesus Christ is the end of the Law in the sense that through His death and resurrection, He fulfilled the just requirements of the Law, providing for every sinner a righteousness in Christ that the Law could never produce. Jesus made that clear when He said He didn’t come to patch up an old garment. He came to offer a new garment – the robe of His righteousness. And that righteousness is received by faith to everyone who believes! How awesome is that! The Law was not given to save us but to show us that we needed to be saved.
Have you put your faith in Jesus as your Savior from sin, or are you still trying desperately to achieve His acceptance by your good works or keeping the Law? If you desire peace with God and forgiveness of sin with confidence that you have been saved, come to Jesus right now and pray, “Oh God, I’ve tried so hard to do my best, and yet I fall short. I cannot attain righteousness on my own; You never said I could, but You can and always said You would if I simply turn from my own efforts and receive the grace and forgiveness You provided through the death and resurrection of Your blessed Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, I commit my life to You and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for saving me and making me Your child.” In Jesus Name, Amen!
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.