Devotion: 1 Timothy 2:5

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.

Today we return to a basic truth that we sometimes forget. We get so caught up in thinking we have to live a certain way, act in a specific manner to be a perfect Christian that we forget that it is not US we are living for, but Him. He is the One who has made the way for us to be saved and redeemed. HE is the One who is the mediator between us and the Father. He is the One we need to turn to and focus on, not on our pursuit for perfection or whatever is clouding our vision.

There is only one way for us to stand before God – and that is washed in the blood of Jesus. Without Jesus, we can’t do it. We can’t get there on our own. We can’t pray the prayers and do the works to try to earn our way to being acceptable and righteous. We need help. We need Jesus and the sacrifice He made for us to remake us into something beautiful and worthy. We stand before God as a new creation, made in the image of God, washed in the blood of Jesus and pure in His sight.

Jesus’s role is mediator between us and God. He is the bridge that we use to cross the gap that divided us, the chasm of sin and depravity that prevented us from being in the Father’s holy Presence. Jesus is our hope and salvation. When He breathed His last breath on the cross, the curtain in the Temple was split from top to bottom, giving mankind access to God – through Jesus. His death reconciled us to the Father.  And now we can boldly approach the throne of grace. We can stand before God because He doesn’t see our sin any longer. He sees His Son, whom He loves and cherishes. He sees us perfect now.

Enough of the struggle to be righteous and holy through our own efforts. Yes, we are called to live a life that is pleasing to God, a life that is set apart and honors Him. But we don’t do it to gain access to the Father. We do it out of love for our Lord, we do it because we want to show Him gratitude for the blessings in our lives.

Today, take some time to stop and evaluate your life. Are you losing sight of the Way, the Truth, and the Life in your pursuit to be holy? Don’t let your efforts overshadow your gratitude and purpose. Live for Him because He died for you.

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