Enough Through Faith Alone
Searching the Scriptures is not enough—Jesus is.
“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.” —John 5:39-40
The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were experts in the Law. They pored over every command, kept every tradition, and searched the Scriptures diligently. They believed their careful rule-keeping and religious knowledge would even earn them eternal/everlasting life. But Jesus confronted them directly and said that their intense study missed the very One the Scriptures pointed to…Him.
Salvation is not through Law keeping. No amount of moral effort, religious activity, or perfect rule-following can secure everlasting life. The Scriptures testify about Jesus, but knowing about Him is not the same as coming to Him. The Pharisees trusted in their own righteousness through the Law, but Jesus offered something far better: life found only in relationship with Him.
Who did Jesus say has everlasting life? He said that one who has everlasting life is the one who believes in Him. Faith in Jesus—not performance, not knowledge alone, not religious striving—is what brings life. He invites us to stop striving and simply come to Him.
In a comment on the Law, in Galatians 3, Pastor J. Vernon McGee said the following:
Suppose I had kept all of the laws of Pasadena, California, which is my home city, for twenty years. Then I wait at my house for the officials of Pasadena to come and present me with a medal for keeping those laws. Let me tell you, they do not give medals for keeping the law in Pasadena. If I had kept every law for twenty years and then stole something or broke a speeding law, I would be arrested. You see, the law does not reward you. It does not give you life. The law penalizes you. Faith, my friend, gives you something. It gives you life.
In the “Enough” series, this truth sets us free: Jesus is enough. You don’t have to earn what He freely gives. His finished work on the cross is sufficient. Your part is to believe and receive.
Today, release any subtle, or not-so-subtle, reliance on your own efforts to be “good enough” for God. Come to Jesus just as you are. In Him, you already have everything you need for life—now and forever.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that salvation is not earned by keeping the Law or by my own efforts. Forgive me for the times I’ve searched Your Word or lived religiously without truly coming to Jesus. I believe in Your Son. I trust that He is enough. Thank You that because I believe in Him, I have everlasting life. Help me rest in Your grace today and point others to the One who gives life freely. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
View all messages in the series at: www.faithsaves.us/t/enough-faith-series