Finding Our Faith Sample

A Painful Truth
by Rev. Patrick Feldhus 

Why do people hesitate to go to the doctor’s office? Many fear what they’ll hear:

-You are sick and need surgery. 

-You have cancer. 

-You have to give up foods you enjoy eating. 

-You cannot live in your house. 

Paul unleashed one of the most painful truths that all humans fear: “By the works of the law, no one will be justified.” This is a blank statement of fact that covers every single human being. No matter how hard you try to be good and better than all other sinners, no matter how well you observe God’s law, it is impossible to be declared not guilty.

The Law of God will always come back with the same verdict no matter who you are. You may be the best husband, wife, child, worker, and give millions to charity. The law will still say, guilty! This is a painful truth that no one can escape.

So why does God reveal this painful truth to us? Our God uses his law to point us to a comforting and better truth: “So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law.” Despite the painful truth that all people deserve a guilty verdict, God has revealed to us that through Christ that we are not guilty.

Jesus took on our guilt and was punished in our place. We received his righteousness. We cannot be guilty because Jesus set us free. The painful truth of the law was replaced with the joyful truth of Jesus Christ. Jesus assured your life through his death and resurrection. Trust in his work. You are not guilty!

Prayer: Dear gracious and loving Father, we come to you burdened by the painful truth that we deserve your wrath and punishment. Remove our fear with the comfort of your Son, who took our place and gives us his righteousness. Help us trust that through your Son we are not guilty and heaven is ours. In his name we pray. Amen.