What substitutes in your own life do you constantly battle?
Assignment 1a: Devotional
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Ephesians 2:8-9 (Links to an external site.)
The American hymn writer Fanny J. Crosby’s popular song, “Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb” reminds us that we are saved by Christ’s work on the cross. Martin Luther, in protesting the sale of indulgences, was in essence recentralizing Christ’s work on the cross in saving us from our sins. Luther saw indulgences as hollow substitutes for what only Christ could accomplish. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that we are saved by grace which is a gift of God. We cannot save ourselves, but God in His mercy and grace, took it upon Himself, to provide a way to cleanse us of our sin.
Still today we often find substitutes for God. This can take the form of alcohol, drugs, careerism, materialism, or social causes. Sometimes the ends we pursue may even be good in and of themselves. And what about the ways we substitute religion for God. This may sound paradoxical, but we can become so busy doing ministry, that we leave God out of our plans. Psalms 127:1 warns us that we labor in vain if we build without the Lord. Like Luther, we need to be on guard against cheap substitutes. Ephesians 2 is a good reminder that grace and grace alone provides us true redemption. Let us be mindful that only Christ provides genuine grace and only in Christ do we find genuine rest.
What substitutes in your own life do you constantly battle? “Materialism is my substitution”
In approximately 100 words, post your response to the thoughts above.
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