I've been in Galations for my quiet time lately. I was struck by an interesting thought. You have to choose - will you be under the Law OR under Grace? You can't be both. This may seem like old hat to some of you, but revisit it if that is the case. Let me explain.
It's interesting that you can read something in the Bible and it is like it is the first time you have seen that! (Heb 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.") Thank you LORD for your abiding word that opens our eyes to see in new and different ways!
Paul talks about the prepatory nature of the Law. It was given to show us the way to the Truth. Truth of how to act, how to think, how to worship, how to give, how to serve, how to love. God's design is to have the Law written on our hearts - internalized - not a set of rules, but a way or thought and life. (Jer 31:33 "I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.") As spiritual children, the Law was our tutor - pointing us in the correct direction.
Paul talks about our liberty. (Free will - ever heard of that?) Have you ever really realized that you have absolute liberty in Christ? Liberty to be what God created you to be! Liberty to live differently in the world! Liberty to NOT sin! Liberty to forgive yourself when you fail! Liberty to get up and try again, and again, and again! But he also warns that liberty came with a great cost. Praise to Jesus for paying that cost at Calvary!
So, if we choose Grace, we are no longer under Law. What! Blasphemy? Heresy? No - Truth. Look at Gal 3: 10-14 and Gal 5: 1 - 6. If you live by Law you are cursed, because you can't fulfill the Law. It doesn't matter how good you are, how much to do, how much you give - you still fall short. (I think I've heard that before. Rom 3:23) Christ came to fulfull - complete - pay full penalty (propitiation) under the Law. Now you have Grace! The ability to actually have the Law written on your heart. The ability to have that new nature which is not under compulsion to abide by the law, but under heartfelt desire to live righteously - because it is natural!
Every time you go back to trying to obey the rules, you step out from under Grace and back under Law. Confusing? You bet! OK, lets boil it down - are you controled by the flesh or the Spirit? Now I know how a yo-yo feels, right? Christ tells us to stop trying to obey the law and allow Him, by the Holy Spirit, to change our nature so that how we act is a product of who we have become. You know, you obey the law without even thinking or realizing it, it's just who you are.
Look at your life. What do you see, no I mean really, in your heart of hearts.
Are any of these the fruit of your efforts - immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmites, strife, jeolousy, outbursts of anger, dusputes, dissensions, factions, envyings, drunkenness, carousings? These are the fruit of the flesh. This is the result of our old nature trying to live under Law.
Are any of these the fruit of your efforts - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. These are the fruit of the Spirit. This is the result of our new nature living under Grace.
Remember the part about having liberty to forgive yourself and try again. Steve Brown from Key Life says something like this - I'm better than I was yesterday, by the Grace of God. Can you say that?
So, this week, as you drive, as you work, as you interact, as you live, look inside and out. What fruit are you seeing in yourself and those around you. My prayer is that you (and God) like what you see. If not, are you willing to do something about it?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
1984 Soon! - Oh - wait - I Missed it?
Most of you on the web, and blogs probably don't remember the whole "1984 Soon" thing. Back when I was young (you know, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth), we thought the government was sticking it's nose in our business. There was a big movement (of all us Hippies in the '70s) spouting how Big Brother was watching. If you remember that, you might be ready for Social Security (hurry, before it's gone!). Anyway, I remember seeing signs and bumper stickers saying the simple political statement "1984 Soon." Oh! How I wish for the good old days!
Then, the other day, my daughter mentioned that it was 2010. She said, "Remember the movie 2001 and how we thought that was so advanced?" Now that is over a decade old! Where does the time go?
My kids tell me I see the "Biblical" side to movies, books and everything else. I guess that's just my gift?!?! It seems to me there is truth to the saying "the more things change, the more they stay the same." Maybe the degree, or speed of things seems greater, but it is still the same old "Let's do our own thing and then ask God to bless it." Have you noticed that man does a lousy job of governing himself? In fact, I don't think anyone who is truly honest with himself can say they even do a good job of governing their individual self. How are you doing with that covetousness? lust? greed? anger? gluttony? prayer? study of the Word? and on, and on.... I feel the same way - you know "I am so proud of how humble I have become!"
Well we are back to the realization that we are still living between Gen 3:17 and Rev 22:3. (That would be under the curse!) Time, for us, marches on. Sometimes it seems to crawl. Sometimes it seems to fly. The older you are, the faster it seems to move. Time, and tide wait for no man. I'm sure you can put a bunch more cliches here.
Well, let's get back on topic here. In the book "1984" Winston is caught in a world of unreality pretending to be reality. Remember, he works for the Ministry of Truth, who's job is to correct the truth errors and rewrite everything to match the new "truth." "Big Brother" was the idea of the government always watching to make sure you were a good, compliant member of society. They don't want any waves, and if you cause them, you get "re-educated." Now that I think about it, sounds similar to things we hear today, just like it did back in the '70s. Remember, we are still under the curse! Man, of his own accord, in his own wisdom, in his own strength, is a lousy candidate to be in charge of anything! O.K. ... So... what now? I'm so glad you asked!
God, in His infinite wisdom, knew we couldn't govern. He never created us to govern. Did you ever think of that. Now some might call me an Anarchist, but I don't really believe in government, at least not like any we have ever experienced on Earth. If, and this is a big if, we allow God to rule our hearts, we really don't need government. Each person would have the necessary insight, compassion, generosity, and all other traits internally and would not need an external rule. That's kind of what I imagine heaven to be like. No traffic signs, no courthouses, no police, no legal infractions. Only God's people, Worshiping Him, Loving Him and each other.
But, there would still be "Big Brother." Yes, you heard me right, but He is really here now. I'm talking about Jesus. If you have accepted his action on the cross to pay the debt for your sins, you have been adopted into His family. He is now your Big Brother! And He is watching. Not to thump you, or twist your perspective, but to encourage, to teach, to love, to cheer, to mourn, to share every aspect and part of your life. After all, He gave all so we could receive all. He has made it possible for us to become what He created us to be in the first place. You may get tired of hearing me say this, but I never get tired of being reminded of that TRUTH!
So, think about this. If you live your life, guided by the Holy Spirit, remembering that Jesus is watching to cheer you on to the finish line, what would your life look like? Could you be trusted with a job? opportunity? responsibility? government office? family? spouse? children?
Then, the other day, my daughter mentioned that it was 2010. She said, "Remember the movie 2001 and how we thought that was so advanced?" Now that is over a decade old! Where does the time go?
My kids tell me I see the "Biblical" side to movies, books and everything else. I guess that's just my gift?!?! It seems to me there is truth to the saying "the more things change, the more they stay the same." Maybe the degree, or speed of things seems greater, but it is still the same old "Let's do our own thing and then ask God to bless it." Have you noticed that man does a lousy job of governing himself? In fact, I don't think anyone who is truly honest with himself can say they even do a good job of governing their individual self. How are you doing with that covetousness? lust? greed? anger? gluttony? prayer? study of the Word? and on, and on.... I feel the same way - you know "I am so proud of how humble I have become!"
Well we are back to the realization that we are still living between Gen 3:17 and Rev 22:3. (That would be under the curse!) Time, for us, marches on. Sometimes it seems to crawl. Sometimes it seems to fly. The older you are, the faster it seems to move. Time, and tide wait for no man. I'm sure you can put a bunch more cliches here.
Well, let's get back on topic here. In the book "1984" Winston is caught in a world of unreality pretending to be reality. Remember, he works for the Ministry of Truth, who's job is to correct the truth errors and rewrite everything to match the new "truth." "Big Brother" was the idea of the government always watching to make sure you were a good, compliant member of society. They don't want any waves, and if you cause them, you get "re-educated." Now that I think about it, sounds similar to things we hear today, just like it did back in the '70s. Remember, we are still under the curse! Man, of his own accord, in his own wisdom, in his own strength, is a lousy candidate to be in charge of anything! O.K. ... So... what now? I'm so glad you asked!
God, in His infinite wisdom, knew we couldn't govern. He never created us to govern. Did you ever think of that. Now some might call me an Anarchist, but I don't really believe in government, at least not like any we have ever experienced on Earth. If, and this is a big if, we allow God to rule our hearts, we really don't need government. Each person would have the necessary insight, compassion, generosity, and all other traits internally and would not need an external rule. That's kind of what I imagine heaven to be like. No traffic signs, no courthouses, no police, no legal infractions. Only God's people, Worshiping Him, Loving Him and each other.
But, there would still be "Big Brother." Yes, you heard me right, but He is really here now. I'm talking about Jesus. If you have accepted his action on the cross to pay the debt for your sins, you have been adopted into His family. He is now your Big Brother! And He is watching. Not to thump you, or twist your perspective, but to encourage, to teach, to love, to cheer, to mourn, to share every aspect and part of your life. After all, He gave all so we could receive all. He has made it possible for us to become what He created us to be in the first place. You may get tired of hearing me say this, but I never get tired of being reminded of that TRUTH!
So, think about this. If you live your life, guided by the Holy Spirit, remembering that Jesus is watching to cheer you on to the finish line, what would your life look like? Could you be trusted with a job? opportunity? responsibility? government office? family? spouse? children?
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