Alive

"If a law had been given which could make alive then righteousness would be by law," Galatians 3:21.

That's the deal with law. Good as it is, it makes no sinner live. To cut out sin (and that's the problem here), law remains powerless. Old law? New law? No matter, Not Able. Can't do it. (We will not confuse law with covenant, right?) Law has no ability to establish righteousness. Law determines extent of failure to meet standards. Law sets standards to justify capital punishment. To end life. Righteously. But not to make a sinner live, righteous. We need a new covenant, not a new law. And Jesus establishes that new covenant with his own sacrifice. That sacrifice erases the writ against us with its righteous judgment. He establishes forgiveness of sin. God's promise in Christ makes sinners live.

We recognize dependence on the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, our life. We give thanks to God, the only source of life. And we take time today to serve a brother or sister in gratitude, alive.