13/06/2020
Daily Devotions (www.jentezenfranklin.org)
*Saved by Grace Alone*
June 11, 2020
*_“By grace you have been saved through faith.”_* (Ephesians 2:8 NKJV)
In a sense there were *two prodigal sons,* and both grew up in a religious culture that *praised _rule keepers_* and *punished _rule breakers._* Notice how this chapter begins:
*_“All the tax collectors and sinners drew near to Him…And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, ‘This Man receives sinners…So He spoke this parable to them”_* (Luke 15:1-3 NKJV).
Here Jesus is talking to two different groups:
(1) *Rule breakers* like the *_Prodigal Son,_* who know it is only through *_God’s grace_* that they are *_saved._*
(2) *Rule keepers* like the *_older brother,_* who think they can *earn* or *contribute* to *_salvation_* by *doing _good works._* And that makes *rule keepers* judgmental toward *rule breakers.* The *older brother* refused to attend his brother’s homecoming party. _Why?_ Listen:
_*“Father, unlike him, I have served you and kept your commandments. This is not right or fair”*_ (See Luke 15:29).
_Sound familiar?_
Here is what the father told him:
*_“Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours”_* (Luke 15:31 NKJV).
Observe the word *_“son.”_* Jesus was teaching that we are *saved* by *_“relationship,”_* not *_“rule keeping.”_* The *older brother* thought his father’s *acceptance* depended on his *_performance._*
Yes, there is a place in God’s kingdom for *_performance._* Your rewards in heaven are based upon your *_performance_* on earth.
*_"God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”"_* (Romans 2:6)
But your *_redemption_* depends on *Christ’s _performance_* only:
*_“By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast”_* (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV).
Yes, God will *challenge, chastise,* and *cleanse* you in order to *_change_* you into the *person _He_ wants you to be.* But y
Jentezen Franklin is the Senior Pastor of Free Chapel, a multi-campus church with a global reach. His messages impact generations through various outreaches and his televised broadcast, “Kingdom Connection.” Jentezen Franklin is also a New York Times best-selling author and he speaks at conferen...
