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The Bible Study – Our readings for Wednesday, Jan. 17 are Ezekiel 39:1-10; 17-29 & Romans 7:21 – 8:17. The Apostle Paul offers a heartfelt confession and joyous proclamation of the Gospel in Romans 7:24-25: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” God’s Law shows us our sin. Even Paul, an Apostle chosen by Christ, admits his human inability to fulfill the Ten Commandments. The Gospel message here is a cry of relief and deliverance for the Apostle. It’s a shout of joy and deliverance for us as well. The Law that condemns all has been fulfilled perfectly by our Saviour who was both true God and true man. Christ took our sins to the cross. Jesus made payment in full for the transgressions of the world. The Law is not a means of self-salvation, in whole or part. It is a curb on evil, a mirror that shows us our sins, and a guide to how God wants us to live. As Christians, we obey the Law out of love, not fear. While in this life we remain sinners, believers are also saints for the sake of our mighty Saviour, Jesus. Pastor Tom Steers Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto http://christlutherantoronto.org/sermons/bible-verses-showing-justification-by-faith-alone