Gems of Knowledge

Today’s One Year Bible Verses: Isaiah 22:1-24:23, Galatians 2:17-3:9, Psalm 60:1-12, Proverbs 23:15-16

“So I died to the law. I stopped trying to meet all its requirements, so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” — Galatians 2:19–20, NLT

Jesus Is Enough

Paul draws a line between two ways of living: works of the law versus works of faith in Christ. Under the old covenant, the law demanded endless striving, performance, and sacrifices—yet never gave the power to change the heart. Under the new covenant, through faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit writes God’s law on our hearts and empowers us to live in love and truth as He quietly directs us each day.

When we are reborn, we die to the law and to man-made traditions. Religion, doctrines of men, or the weight of sin no longer chain us. Instead, Christ Himself directs us daily by His Spirit. We don’t do good works to earn salvation; we do them because we love Him and want to walk in His ways.

Paul warns the Galatians: “Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? … After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?” (Galatians 3:1–3, NLT). The same danger still exists today. People creep in with false teaching saying that we need more rules, more rituals, more ceremonies to be saved – essentially saying Jesus is not enough. But Jesus rebuked such teaching: “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’” (Matthew 15:7–9, NLT).

We see this same warning in today’s reading from Isaiah. Jerusalem, called “the Valley of Vision,” was full of religious practice, sacrifices, and outward observance of the law. Yet their hearts were far from God. They relied on ceremonies but had no relationship with Him—and it led to their destruction (Isaiah 22:5–14). Outward law-keeping without inward faith is an empty shell that cannot save.

David echoes this same truth in today’s psalm: “…human help is worthless. With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes” (Psalm 60:11–12, NLT). The “arm of flesh” (man’s laws, traditions, human strength) is useless. But the arm of God—His Spirit—empowers us to do mighty things. The difference is not in our effort but in His presence.

The truth is this: only God gives His Holy Spirit, and only through faith in Christ. No church or ceremony can hand Him out. We are “made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law” (Galatians 2:16, NLT). Just like Abraham, who believed God and was counted righteous, we too receive His blessing by faith, not by works (Galatians 3:6–9, NLT). Jesus taught this Himself when he said to Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6, NLT).

Abraham still acted—he obeyed the Lord’s voice—but his obedience flowed from relationship, not from a man-made system. That’s the life of faith: not striving to meet requirements, but listening, trusting, and obeying God Himself.

Action (5 Minutes with God)

1. Read Galatians 2:19–20 slowly. Write it out in your own words as a declaration of faith.
2. Ask the Lord: “Am I carrying any man-made rules, traditions, or expectations that keep me from freedom in You?”
3. Write what He whispers then lay them at the cross in prayer.
4. Read Psalm 60:11–12 aloud and declare: “Human help is worthless, but with God’s help I will do mighty things.”

Prayer

Father, thank You that I am saved by grace through faith, not by works of the law. Guard my heart from deception, and free me from every man-made tradition that weighs me down. Teach me to live by Your Spirit each day, trusting that Jesus is enough. With Your help, I will do mighty things. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 💎

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© 2025 Gems of Knowledge. Scripture quotations from the NLT © Tyndale House Foundation.