December 14

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” (Galatians 3:13)

Life never came through the law. As some one has observed: “When the law was given, three thousand men lost life; but when grace and truth came at Pentecost, three thousand obtained life.” Under the law, if a man became a drunkard the magistrates would take him out and stone him to death. When the prodigal came home, grace met him and embraced him. Law said, Stone him!—grace said, Embrace him! Law said, Smite him!—grace said, Kiss him! Law went after him, and bound him; grace said, Loose him and let him go! Law tells me how crooked I am; grace comes and makes me straight.

November 22

“And when they came to Jesus, they besought Him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom He should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.” (Luke 7:4-5)

The Jews could not understand grace, so they thought Christ would grant the request of this man, because he was worthy. “Why,” they said, “he hath built us a synagogue!” It is the same old story that we hear today. Let a man give a few thousand dollars to build a church and he must have the best pew;  “he is worthy.” Perhaps he made his money by selling or making strong drink; but he has put the church under an obligation by this gift of money, and he is considered “worthy.” This same spirit was at work in the days of Christ.

November 16

By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast.—Ephesians 5:8, 9

BEFORE my conversion, I worked toward the cross, but since then I have worked from the cross. Then I worked to be saved; now I work because I am saved.