Daily Devotional
November 20, 2025
“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” Galatians 3:1-3
How are we saved from sin and death? It is by faith in Christ alone. In his explanation of the Third Article of the Apostles Creed … regarding the Holy Spirit, Martin Luther put it this way,
“I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.”
So why would we think we remain in Christ by being good, by doing works that somehow measure up? It is by God’s grace alone we are saved. It is by God’s grace alone we can believe in the One Who Saves. It is by God’s grace alone that we remain in faith.
Why then do we do “good works”? If God does it all, do I have to do anything? Yes. Love God and others. Do what Christ commands. Turn from sin. Repent. We do these things because God has been good to us, not so He will be good. That would make salvation a reward, a payout. It would no longer be a gift of His grace. It would squarely put us in charge rather than God being in charge with us being beholden to Him.
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for your grace that has saved me. Thank you for your grace that enables me to trust in Christ Jesus and the promise of salvation you have made through Him - Your Dear Son, in whose name I pray. May I always receive your grace with thanksgiving, giving glory to you. Amen.