Daily Devotional
Our Salvation is Not Dependent on Us
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Titus 3:5-7
April 19, 2023
Ponder This
When I played high school football, there was a game when it was pouring rain, and there was water standing on the field. During the game, just by happenstance, a pass was intercepted by our defensive tackle. Now, he was not the pass-intercepting type. We blocked every opposing team member to get him down the field, and he scored on that play. I roomed with him that night, and all night long he talked about those brilliant moves and how he went down the field. I’d hate to be in Heaven with people talking about how they got themselves to Heaven. The Bible says it’s “not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:9). We’re going to Heaven by the grace of God, and all glory, praise, and honor goes to Him. What is the grace of God? It is the sovereign love of the Father, and it is the supernatural work of the Spirit.
He also regenerates us—we’re sanctified through Him. You may have been an adulterer. You may have been sexually perverted. You may have been a thief or an extortioner. But when you get saved, you are washed whiter than snow in the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
- When have you bragged or been tempted to brag about your good works?
- When have you felt like you couldn’t measure up to the standard of God’s law?
Practice This
Consider which side you tend toward: bragging about your own good works or feeling ashamed because you can’t measure up to the law. Ask God to correct your thinking.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
