July 4 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

Please don't become weary of God's instruction concerning sin. This whole first part of Romans is intended to show us that the gospel of Christ is the only hope for us and for all people. All false supports must be knocked out of our hearts. All other doors must be closed. Then we will rely on Christ alone, and we will enter through the door that God has opened.

This time we learn that the Jews fall under God's judgment.

Ever since the state of Israel was established in 1948, many speeches have been made and books have been written about a "special standing" the Jews have with God. And most of those making the speeches and writing the books are Christians.

That's why it's doubly necessary to read this passage, which says that outside of the gospel there is no salvation for the Jews. In order to be saved, the Jews, as well as the rest of us, must burn all credit cards and trust in Jesus alone.

Non-Jews cannot be saved by their heritage either. Paul himself wrote how he had to go through a process of disposing of everything he once thought might give him credit with God—his pride of race and background, his arrogance because of his religious education, his reliance on work and zeal for God's cause. At one time he thought he had all of this going for him. Then he discovered that he had to discard it all and desire nothing except to know Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:4-11).

The Jews were inclined to "boast in the law." They were the proud possessors of revelation. Paul argues that they broke the law, even by obvious transgressions.

Possessing God's revelation is a real temptation for the Jews and for all who stand in a religious tradition. It does not guarantee anything. What counts is doing. Not having the book but obeying the Word is the purpose of life. The failure to do must drive us to the gospel. For only the gospel gives us power to obey.

REFLECTIONS

How can being a solid member of a religious tradition be dangerous to our salvation?

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.