Change

Friday, May 21, 2010
Listen to this devotional:

Hebrews 7:11-12 – If perfection could have been obtained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come — one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law. (NIV)

Romans 3:21-24 – But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Prince, my collie, loved playing with sticks. He was forever carrying one around in his mouth and was also forever trying to bring the stick inside through the dog door.

No matter how many times he tried, however, he could never come through that door with the stick in his mouth — and this was a constant frustration for him. Our other dog, Candy, a cocker spaniel, however, had no problems bringing the stick into the house. This was always a mystery for poor old Prince.

Finally one day, when Prince was struggling to bring his stick in through the dog door, Candy decided to help him out. As she was already in the house, she reached back through the door and grabbed the end of the stick with her teeth. As Prince let it go, she very easily drew the stick by its end through the door. For Prince, the mystery was solved. He realized that to succeed in this matter, he had to change. From then on, he always brought the stick in by pulling it through the dog door longways!

Sometimes, the only way to succeed is to change.

Jesus brought change through His death and resurrection. Through faith in what Christ has done for all mankind on the cross, God grants righteousness and eternal life to all who believe. None of us can get to heaven by keeping the law, for none of us — as the Scripture says — can keep the law: we all fall short of the glory of God.

However, many people worldwide still believe that if they are only good enough, if their good works outweigh their shortcomings, God will be gracious and grant them entrance into the kingdom of heaven. If you are one of those people, my friend, I urge you to change. Good works cannot take us through heaven's doors, not because I say so, but because God does. According to Scripture, only faith in the work of Jesus Christ can grant us eternal life.

1 John 5:11-12 – And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. (NIV)

Sometimes, the only way to succeed is to change.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for the gift of life in Christ Jesus that is freely offered to all who choose to embrace and believe Your truth. Bless people worldwide this day with eyes to see and ears to hear and hearts to embrace salvation by faith in Your Son, who gave His life for the sins of the whole world. We ask this through the power of the blood of the Lamb, in Christ's name. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada

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