JANUARY 11, 2017

“Legalism says God will love us if we change. The gospel says God will change us because He loves us.” 

― Tullian Tchividjian

GENESIS 27-28

20Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord^f will be my God 22and^g this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”(28:20-22)

MATTHEW 9:18-38

20Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

22Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

JOURNAL 

Throughout the story of Jacob, my thoughts are why would God reward a lying manipulator like Jacob. In the same vein, I do not know the story of all the people he is healing in Matthew but it obviously is not because of their righteousness but rather because of their need and then their faith that Jesus can heal them.

This idea is really astounding and turns the typical idea of blessing received as a result of being earned on its head. Need and faith are really the only requirements...

22This righteousness is given through faith in^h Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

ROMANS 3:22-24