IN TOUCH DAILY DEVOTIONAL 27 MAY 2024 BY DR. CHARLES STANLEY, MONDAY MESSAGE
TOPIC: The Cross: Grace Displayed
SCRIPTURE: Romans 3:21-27
21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;
25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;
26 for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.
At Calvary, God displayed His grace for the entire world. The cross represents the intersection of His holiness and His love.
Our holy God is without fault—so “perfectly perfect” that no man or woman can look upon Him and live (Exodus 33:20). We, however, are sinners. We were all born with a sin nature, which left us separated from God.
It’s important to understand that the Lord hates sin because it harms the ones He loves. Remember that God is love (1 John 4:8)—He created us to have a relationship with Him and desires that all people spend eternity with Him (2 Peter 3:9). Yet there remains the problem of our sin.
The Lord will not violate His own nature and compromise His holiness. Prompted by His own great love, therefore, He made a way to have a relationship with us: He put the sin of all mankind on Jesus Christ’s shoulders.
The Father sent His holy Son to be a perfect sacrifice on our behalf. Jesus Christ took our sin upon Himself and died on the cross in our place. When we trust Him as our Savior and receive His forgiveness, we are made new—holy, perfect, and welcome in our Father’s presence.
Bible in One Year: Nehemiah 4-7
Thought for Today: Because Jesus died, we gain abundant life, unconditional love, and a relationship with our heavenly Father.
For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.