Aug

2, 2016

GRACE SUPERCEDES THE LAW
By Pastor Cesar Castellanos,
Declarations of Power for 365 Days of the Year

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
(John 1:17)

By faith, Noah was able to save his entire family. His faith caused him to find
grace in the eyes of God. Although divine judgment destroyed all humanity, only
Noah, a person of faith, was able to obtain salvation and extend it to his family.

Abraham, one of the most admired men among Jews and Christians, was
honored by God because of his faith, for in that time, the law was not known.
Everything Abraham did was established on the solid foundation of faith, which
makes for a good relationship with God.

The people of Israel remained in Egypt for more than four hundred years;
during this time their spiritual lives were affected and they buried their faith. When
the Lord sent Moses to rescue them from Egyptian oppression, He discovered a
people who did not know or understand what faith was, even when the Lord
appeared to them on the mountain to give them confidence and awaken them in this
area. For this reason the Israelites told Moses, Speak to us yourself, and we will
listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die (Exodus 20:19).

God had to give them the law to maintain some type of contact with them,
because they no longer had faith; however, the law turned into one of the greatest
challenges for them and became a difficult mountain for them to scale. They later
added their own rules to the commandments, vastly increasing the number of laws.
For this reason, they could not recognize Jesus when He came to this world; they
were looking at Him through their rules, and instead of admiring Him for the way He
took hope to the forsaken, they saw Him as a threat to their rigid regulations. They
were filled with hatred toward Him because He did not live in accordance to their
short-sighted laws. If you fulfilled ninety-nine percent of the law but failed just one
of their commandments, all of the law was invalidated in your life. Law must be
exact; it does not allow for any alteration. If someone did not fulfill the entire law, he
came under judgment. Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord said, I will make justice
the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line (Isaiah 28:17). Symbolically, he
referenced two objects used in construction for measuring vertically and
horizontally. Not even the tiniest deviation may exist; the law must be followed
exactly. What a blessing it is to know that we are not saved by the law but by grace!
As Christians, we should feel satisfied that God has not saved us by our own
righteous actions, but rather, through His infinite grace.

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SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

In the year 1997, I had fallen into a deep pit surrounded by countless
problems. I had lost my family, my job, and I found myself on the street. These were
critical moments in my life. One day, through my pastors, God gave me a word that
caused me to react and brought great conviction because of the sin I found myself in.
Like the prodigal son I came to my senses and said, What am I doing with my life and
with the life of my wife and kids? One night I had a divine visit. I prayed a simple
prayer saying, God restore my life, and I will serve you. The years have gone by, and I
have not failed God; since that moment I have taken the right path. My life was
restored, my wifes and kids lives as well, and His blessing did not stop there; the
Father has restored every other area of my life, as well. (William Raad)

PRAYER

Dear, loving God, I am grateful for the gift of faith, for it was the means You
used so that I may receive Your salvation through grace. Thank You for having
changed my nature and for taking away all my anger and rage. I thank you for filling
me with Your gentleness, which causes me to live in peace with those who surround
me. I enjoy each one of the things You have given me; nothing compares with the
spiritual riches that I have found at Your side, for I know that Your arms sustain me
and I live trusting in You. I love You, Lord Jesus. Amen.

DECLARATION

The foundation of my relationship with God is my faith, and He covers me
with His grace.

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