Twelfth Day of Christmas
Posted on January 5, 2024 by under
Scripture: Galatians 3:23-29 (NKJV)
3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.
26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Devotion
The sons of God are not defined according to maps or bloodlines. They are defined according to faith in Jesus Christ. Cultures and politics will be necessary concerns until the end of the age when our Lord Jesus comes again in glory. However, we are not to confuse these things of the world with the truth of God’s Word and Kingdom.
God’s Word teaches us the Law so that we may know how to do those good works that He prepares for His people. But the Law and the works are not what make us sons of God. Faith is the only thing that does that, specifically faith in Christ Jesus. Outward works are like maps and bloodlines. If they are observed according to the one true faith that clings to Christ crucified for our justification and life, then they are good and useful! But if the faith which saves us is ignored or rejected, all other things are still empty, broken parts of a world that is dead in its sinfulness.
The joy of every Christmas season is that His true Church proclaims that there is hope for true peace among men and nations, but it must be found in Jesus Christ! That baby who was born in the city of David and shook the events of that part of the world is the fulfillment of God’s promises to His true faithful people, and the glorious expression of His goodwill toward men!
Collect: Almighty and Everlasting God, direct our actions according to Thy good pleasure, that in the Name of Thy beloved Son, we may be made to abound in good works; through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
