Galations 5:13 - "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be set free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love."
If God only looks on the heart and His mercies are made new everyday, does that mean I can do whatever I want and not have to worry about the consequences? I'm saved by faith and not by works, right?
Ephesians 2:8 says that it's by grace alone that we are saved, and not by works, but James 2 states that "faith without works is dead." So where is the balance? James also says, "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds."
Our flesh cannot help but fail, over and over. We cannot stop thinking things and feeling things and doing things that God hates. Works are not what saves us. Works are the evidence of the Holy Spirit living inside of us. Just as we seek to obey and honor our parents because we love them and know that they love us, we should also seek to obey and honor Christ. He has given us the gift of grace through His life and blood. Should we not give Him all of our love and obedience in return? Should we not offer all that we have?
I gave my life for thee,
My precious blood I shed,
That thou mightst ransomed be,
And quickened from the dead.
I gave, I gave my life for thee,
What hast thou given for me?
I gave, I gave my life for thee,
What hast thou given for me?
- Frances Havergal
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