Galatians 2:19. For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God.
Think together: What are some rules that you think are silly? What are some rules that you think are good for us?
Read together:
In this verse, Paul is saying something pretty incredible. He is saying that if you live for the law (the rules), even God’s law, you are not living for God. Now remember, Paul is talking about living for God’s rules so that God will love us and save us. But that is not how God works, is it? God doesn’t love us because we obey his rules. He doesn’t save us because we are good. He saves us even though we are bad. Even though we are lawbreakers.
Here’s what Paul knows: the law of God might change our behavior, but it can’t change our hearts. Have you ever obeyed a rule even though you thought it was a silly rule? Have you ever obeyed a rule even when you didn’t want to? Well, that kind of obedience doesn’t really please God. Anyone can be good, but not everyone is good because they love and trust God. In fact, no one is good because they love and trust God unless Jesus lives in their heart. This is why when Paul says, “so that I might live to God,” he means living by faith. Like we said in our last devotional—only faith in Jesus justifies us.
But before we can really live to God, we must die to the law. In other words, we have to give up on trying to be good enough to go to heaven. We can’t do it! No one can obey enough rules or obey any rule enough to earn a spot with God.
As you grow up, everything in your life will be full of earning your spot by following the rules. School. The team. Jobs. Even church might feel that way sometimes. But God doesn’t care how good you are at obeying his rules. He knows that we are all really, really bad at it. That’s why he wants us to die to it. Not so that we can just give up and do whatever we want, but so that we can then LIVE TO GOD!! How? By loving and trusting him, not by earning him.
Do something together: Set out a good prize for the kids (maybe a treat or money). Tell half the kids that they have to do something difficult to earn the prize (a perfect handstand or cleaning their room spotlessly). When the “chore” is completed, decide if they should get the prize. Offer the same prize to the other child(ren) as a free gift. Talk about how it felt to have to earn vs. receive the prize freely. Which children will be more grateful for their prize?
Because of Jesus: We don’t have to earn our place with God.
With Jesus: We are free to love and trust God.
Pray: Father, even though most of my life is about earning things, with you it never is. It’s just about faith. Amen.
