Devotion for Today

The Finished Work

December 18, 2013

Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
–John 3:3

A person is saved by trusting in the finished work of Christ on the cross, and not by bodily sensations and religious ecstasy. But you will say, “What about feeling? Is there no place in saving faith for feeling?” Certainly, there is room for feeling in saving faith. But we are not saved by it. Whatever feeling there may be is the result of saving faith, but feeling never saved a single soul. Love is feeling. Joy is feeling. Inward peace is feeling. Love for others is a feeling. Concern for the lost is a feeling. But these feelings are not conversion. The one experience that you can look for and expect is the experience of believing in Christ.

Prayer for the day

Thank You, Lord, for Your gift of redemption, which does not fluctuate like my feelings.

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19 Comments

Chad says 12.21.2012, 07:18 a.m.

We work from our faith, not for our faith.

Mark says 12.19.2012, 03:05 a.m.

Jesus said I am the way the truth and the life no man comes to the father except through me~~~ God came down to earth in the person of Jesus Christ that we may know that we can have eternal life through him~~~ Today is the day of salvation ~~~

Wanda says 12.18.2012, 9:46 p.m.

AMEN.

Peruth says 12.18.2012, 12:36 a.m.

Jesus help me not to trust my feelings but your finished work on the cross.Forgive me for trusting my own feelings.

Tonya says 12.18.2012, 12:33 a.m.

This was something my Dad always told me. You cant go on your feelings. He is gone now but he was a very Christian man and so very wise and he was and still is the hero ofmy life.

Keith says 12.18.2012, 10:32 a.m.

Thanks Dr. Graham for helping me to better understand God's grace!

Joe says 12.18.2012, 07:31 a.m.

Amen.

Gerry says 12.18.2012, 07:09 a.m.

The feeling you get when you accept Christ as your personal Lord and Savior is the feeling you should seek each day.

Phil says 12.18.2011, 09:01 a.m.

Indeed. It is that contrast that should be so easy to see, that whatever substitutes we ascribe to, be they feelings, rituals, rule-keeping... stands in the face of the complete and final work of Christ. How dare we presume to modify?

Gerry says 12.18.2011, 08:12 a.m.

As Billy so aptly points out. How you feel is important but it will not save you. There is only one way and it is amazing. His name is Jesus. One day every knee will bow before him and every tongue confess ........ Thank you Lord

Annie says 12.17.2011, 2:22 p.m.

Precious Jesus, Through Your blood, You redeemed me. I know, I'm not worthy to be chosen, but by Your divine grace and mercies I'm saved. A million thanks.....!!! Amen!

mick says 12.15.2011, 1:57 p.m.

do something about those feelings!

Antoine says 12.18.2010, 10:40 p.m.

Praise the Lord, It is a great grace that I am saved. Now i pray for my kids John Jr. and Anthonth Jr. to be saved and acceot Jesus in their heart.

brad says 12.18.2010, 10:29 p.m.

Thank you Lord for finding me, I was surely on the path to hell but by Your blood You have set me free. Glory to the Lord.

Tony says 12.18.2010, 4:03 p.m.

Yes, Mick, James did say faith without deeds is dead, but we are not saved by that. James is saying that if you are a Christian, you will do good deeds, change and repent, etc. Deeds are the true result of being a real Christian.

Glenda says 12.18.2010, 11:15 a.m.

Not a clear, easily read devotion today.

Brian says 12.18.2010, 08:58 a.m.

Thank you Lord! I praise You for Your servants, You use to minister to others. Thank you for reminding me that my relationship with You is not based on my feelings, which can be all over the place at times.

Bonnie says 12.18.2010, 05:47 a.m.

Jesus is my Idol, and in Him I can idle. There is peace in knowing the Lord. Have Your way Holy Ghost.

mick says 12.17.2010, 10:42 a.m.

James told us that faith w/o works is ...