This week’s series of blog posts have been created from Mark’s notes rather than a transcript of the sermon. This hopefully will give you additional insight into the passage. You can download Mark’s sermon notes below.
Friday, December 13’s devotional. Boasting has no place in the life of a Christian. In Romans 3:27, Paul writes, “Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By one of works? No, on the contrary, by a law of faith.” The gospel leaves no room for pride because salvation is entirely by faith in Jesus, not by our works. Mark Penrith explains, “Man cannot boast because salvation is by faith and not works. There is one means of salvation, and it is not your works.”
Our human nature often pushes us to rely on our efforts. We want to earn favor with God through good deeds, religious rituals, or moral behavior. But Paul makes it clear that works are insufficient. Mark emphasizes, “The Law condemns everyone, but Jesus can save anyone.” The Law exposes our inability to meet God’s perfect standard. If salvation depended on our works, we would all be lost.
Faith, not works, is the key to salvation. “For we conclude that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law” (Romans 3:28). Faith acknowledges our dependence on God’s grace and Christ’s finished work on the cross. Mark explains, “Because God’s standard is perfection, and because we can never attain it, justification can only be by faith alone, resting in the Person and finished work of Jesus.” True faith humbles us, reminding us that we contribute nothing to our salvation except the sin that makes it necessary.
This truth aligns with the core beliefs of Benoni Baptist Church: “Believer’s baptism is an act of obedience… a sign of personal repentance, faith, and regeneration.” We come to God not boasting of our achievements but confessing our need for His grace. Our faith rests not in what we have done, but in what Jesus has done for us.
Living by faith means trusting God daily, not just for salvation but for every aspect of life. We are free to live a transformed life in the light of the righteousness that has been credited to us. This transformation leads to humility, gratitude, and dependence on God rather than pride in our abilities.
Our church covenant encourages this kind of faith-driven life: “We will seek to live according to the Spirit and not according to the flesh.” As we cultivate a deeper faith, we move away from self-reliance and toward a life that glorifies God.
Reflection Question: How can you cultivate a deeper faith that relies solely on Christ’s work rather than your own efforts?
Prayer: Lord, help me to rest fully in Your grace and Christ’s finished work. Strip away my pride and teach me to depend on You alone. Amen.
This devotional content is not penned by the preacher. It is derived from the sermon notes. We aim to provide bite-sized reflections throughout the week for devotion and reflection.