Tuesday, December 23, 2025

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would reckon as righteous the gentiles by faith, declared the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “All the gentiles shall be blessed in you.” Galatians 3:8

This verse from Galatians points back to the Old Testament scriptures wherein God foretold that there was coming a means of salvation for all people, not just those of Jewish faith or lineage—but that all people can be saved.  The verse prior (verse 7) states: “Know then that those who have faith are children of Abraham”, which basically means all those who have faith are part of God’s family.  

It tells us that one’s lineage and adherence to religious laws does not make you righteous in God’s eyes (as Jewish people in the time before and the time of Christ believed), but that anyone who has faith in God (and thereby Jesus) is a member of God’s family.  

God’s plan plays out each and every day, in each and every aspect of our lives.  He has known from before time began what He was going to do and how He was going to save mankind from sin.  How awesome is that?  

God knew humans would fall into sin—every one of us—and he put in place a plan that would save us even before we were born.  Whether Jew, Gentile, or anything else---God offers salvation if we just believe that only faith in Jesus and all that He did will gain for us eternal salvation. Nothing we say, nothing we do, nothing we avoid doing—nothing but the blood of Christ will save you from your sins and make you righteous in God’s eyes. We are all “blessed in” Jesus.  

When we pass from this life, we can stand before the throne of God and say only: “I plead Jesus as my savior” because anything else you say –any deeds, sacrifices, or plea you say to God as a way to gain His favor or pardon will not do.  Only Jesus.  Thank God for His pre-ordained plan to offer a way to salvation for every human who ever lives.  

Dear God, we are so thankful to you for providing us with a way to come before you in righteousness—not our own righteousness, but that of Jesus, for there is no other way to be righteous in your eyes.  As we walk this side of heaven, keep us mindful of the way we should walk to bring you glory and to lead others into righteousness and everlasting life with you.  It is in, through, and because of Jesus that we ask and pray all things.  Amen.  

Christine Naessens is staff recruiter for Liberty Lutheran.