Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
Devotional Thoughts
By David Wilkerson
The opening chapter of Hebrews repeats a truth every Christian knows but that few of us actually grasp: “Jesus is greater.”
“Jesus is greater than what?” you may ask. Hebrews 1 answers: He’s greater than all the prophets, priests, kings and angels. You name it, and he’s greater than that. He is greater than all that we can imagine.
And yet many Christians stumble over a simple truth when it comes to knowing that “Jesus is greater.” The problem is this: Jesus is greater than the works of the law — but we live as if our works mean more than Christ’s saving grace. We claim we’re saved by his grace, but whenever we fail we fall back on works to be restored.
We are conditioned to respond to laws with works. Even in the realm of faith, we tend to fall back on works. We may give mental assent to being saved by grace, but deep down many of us still believe works are the way to secure God’s blessings.
Works can never achieve what only the cross could provide. They can’t add a single degree of holiness to our lives. Works that are truly holy are the result of God’s grace. They’re what we do in gratitude, joy and faithfulness because we’ve been provided “so great a salvation”!
The very things that God intends to be joyous blessings in our lives we often turn into dutiful works.
Throughout Galatians Paul asks believers, “Why would you ever go back to an Old Covenant of works? That system will only re-enslave you. You’ve been given the New Covenant, which sets you free to love and serve God in perfect liberty.
This is the core of the gospel: God does it all! Therefore, when we’re told to “give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (Hebrews 2:1), it doesn’t mean we’re to pay greater attention to rule-keeping. We’re to pay attention to the gospel of grace that has set us free.
I urge you, don’t neglect the great salvation you have been given. Turn to Jesus, who is always greater — and whose grace is your strength for everything. Amen!