Go Beyond Legalism

-


DAILY VITAMIN
- Go Beyond Legalism
"This Good News tells us that God makes us ready for heaven—makes us right in God’s sight—when we put our faith and trust in Christ to save us. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scripture says it, “The man who finds life will find it through trusting God.” (Romans 1:17 TLB)
     We are saved primarily because we trust Christ to save us- and through this trust established a union that helps us become more like Him, and not because we keep laws. But many think otherwise. Galatians 3 tells us that the Ten Commandments were given to Moses only to guide a man away from his frailties until the better way for a permanent transformation came; and that way is fulfilled through faith in Christ (v.19-22).
     Remember, He said His grace saved us in believing, and not our own efforts (Eph 2:8), and that all such laws and our pietous observance of them truly brought was a sense of pride and self-righteousness (Col 2:21-23). It couldn't bring true transformation, for the letter only brings death (2 Cor 3:6) but true transformation into His glory comes by the Spirit (2 Cor 3:18). And so, having fellowship with Him by His Spirit is what God truly desires; and it is what faith in Christ establishes.
    This is very important because only the Holy Spirit can bring an imprint of the New Covenant into our human spirit. He had said He will write His laws no more on stones but on our hearts; such that we will need no man to teach us, but He Himself (Heb 8:10-11)- and by His Spirit He fulfilled it (1 John 2:27). Now we are able to walk after the law of His Spirit. And yes now we are obeying not because we are afraid or ignorant, but because we know and love Him.
    So, He didn't call us to be legalistic, but to be spiritual. To be led by His Spirit; for it is the only true way to please Him (Romans 8:5). It is the essence of our faith. This is because in fellowship we climax in the knowledge of God's person. And this He achieves by the ministry of His Spirit. That is, by His Spirit we know Him, and He continues to know and teach us. Hence, today, pursue and also teach others to learn in fellowship with the Spirit of God, and to yield to His will first.

Prayer:
Sweet Holy Spirit, I ask that you show me the depth of the intimacy of the God-Head. I don't just want to be driven by doctrines and dogmas; I want to know You for all You are. Reveal the love of the Father and the person of His Son Jesus to me, and keep me in fellowship with yourself now and forever, in Jesus' Name. Amen  

Comments

Post a Comment

What do you think?

Popular posts from this blog

Giving Generously

-
DAILY VITAMIN  There is a difference between giving and giving generously. Generosity is more than just how much you give, but how hearted you do. What makes the poor fellow rich in the sight of God is how richly he gives even though in need himself. Richly, not in terms of quantity or even quality, nor quantifiable mass, but richly based on how much from the heart it is given. Was the heart rich in compassion, God's love and mercy as it gave? Or was it full of egotism, self-pride and every trait that makes him believe it is all in his power? Remember, a broken heart and a contrite spirit[full of the first traits], God wil not despise (Ps 51:17); and as long as there is a willingness of heart and readiness of mind[spurred by genuine love], it is acceptable towards God (2 Cor 8:11-12). This is why God isn't just crazy in love with any giver, but a cheerful giver. One whose givings start from the heart outward. One who first gives with the heart and reflects it by his hands. Tha
Read more

See It God's Way

-
Image
DAILY VITAMIN - See It God's Way "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11 TLB)     Have you ever noticed how at some point in your life when everything seemed to be going AWOL, then all of a sudden something great came out of it all? At least I have seen it happen without number in my life and others'. Well, that's exactly what God does for a living- turning bitter sources into a spring of life.     Just like most of us, one man who had a myriad of experience regarding this has to be David. David once said that he would have fainted if he hadn't believed to see God's goodness in his life. And went ahead in advising us to wait patiently for all God has promised regardless of what we are currently going through (Psalm 27:13-14). And believe me, he knows what he was talking about.     For instance, David had been told he had been chosen by God to
Read more

Desist From Rash Decisions

-
Image
DAILY VITAMIN Decisions made out of anger or envy are not only self destructive, but they also affect the attitude of those we seem not to desire their hurt. For instance, when the sons of Jacob conspired to kill Joseph, to them it was the perfect way to get rid of the 'big dreamer' that made them all look like vision-less fellows, and had taken their father's affection from them; so they took it upon themselves and agreed that they were totally correct in their intended evil action. After they had sold him and feigned his death, they might have believed it had all ended, only to be shocked with the countenance of their father, thereby sentencing themselves to a lifetime of grief and sorrows from the man they honored most- their father Israel. That alone was enough to prick their conscience until they were clouded with the mist of regret. They sought his attention for themselves, but all they created was a deficit to their own loss; thus causing more harm than what warran
Read more

Love Is Where Life Begins

-
Image
DAILY VITAMIN What's the most important thing to you in life? Think for a while before you answer. And you can take as long as it takes. Alright! Are you ready now? Let's continue. In everything you do always remember that love comes before ambition. Most times we get so carried away in climbing the ladder of success that we fail to recognize and notice when there are hands stretching high for us to help lift them up. We so much pursue self-purposed desires that we miss those God sends our way to impact; not that they didn't show up, but that we failed to notice their arrival.  And guess what: Our silver lining of greatness in the sands of time and in the mouth of men is not built by the success we built for ourselves, but by how much success we attained in imparting and influencing people. Any achievement of ours' that has no positive impact on others isn't labeled success, but a self-fulfilled goal; and that's why Mother Teresa wrote 'a life not lived
Read more

Actions Speak Loudest

-
Image
  DAILY VITAMIN - Actions Speak Loudest “Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:16 TLB) It was 4:30 p.m., sometime in late January 2015. The students were crowded en masse for Laboratory Practice registrations. Everybody was there; the sleek guys and girls, and the geeks as well. And also there was myself, and my very good friend Earnest. We were both members of the Christian Community on campus; but Earnest was the more vocal kind. Well, on this day, the hall was replete with students and the process slow, but eventually it got to our turn. The Registration Officer (R.O) requested for the required fee and documentation and thus signed me up; however when it was Earnest’s time to get registered, he failed to ask for the fee. Anyway, when we were both done with the process and on our way back home, Earnest softly indicated that we stop for a moment. As we stood there under the canop
Read more