Welcome to Hank’s Place —
The Apostle Paul frequently warned Christians about the dangers of the law and those who preach it:
“Watch out for those who put obstacles in your way contrary to what you have been taught.” Romans 16:17
“See that no one takes you captive through philosophy which depends on men rather than Christ.” Colossians 2:8
“Watch out for those dogs….” (evil workers preaching a law filled gospel). Philippines 3:2
Remember those Galatians? They had unintentionally cut themselves off from Christ, being seduced by dead works. Happens to all of us at times: one moment we are free under God’s amazing grace, the next enslaved to various laws. The laws don’t have to be the 10 Commandments or other biblical laws to enslave us.
To live under law is believing we can cause God to bless us (or not hurt us) through our performance. Do you think we can manipulate God this way? Ha! The only thing that counts is faith working through love. Galatians 5:6.
You might be living under the law and not realize it! I’ll give you 4 ‘struggles’ — I’ve had each one — see if you’ve had them too.
1. Struggling to do the right thing. To live by a code of conduct is infinitely inferior to the life Jesus wants to live through us. Why choose rules when now we have a wonderful relationship? Rules or relationship, can’t have both. Even when we can keep the rules, we are doing the WRONG thing — because we are not walking by faith. Wow! Choose abiding in Christ — you’ll find yourself doing the right thing at the right time every time.
2. Struggling to be righteous. Before the Cross righteousness was demanded of sinful man. Deuteronomy 6:25. But at the Cross righteousness was freely given. Romans 5:17. The gospel of grace reveals the GIFT of righteousness that comes from God. Romans 1:17 Might be time to trade-in self-righteousness for His, by freely receiving it!
3. Struggling to be holy. Manmade religion defines holiness in terms of moral behavior, but this definition falls far short of the perfect holiness required by God. Just as we cannot make ourselves righteous, neither can we make ourselves holy. But thank God for Jesus who is “our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” 1 Corinthians 1:30. By His sacrifice we have been sanctified forever. Hebrews 10:10.
Consider those Corinthians and their bad behavior. Yet Paul addresses his letter to the “church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ” 1 Corinthians 1:2. Holiness is based on our identity, not performance. We are IN Jesus who is holy and righteous — thus we are holy and righteous.
4. Struggling to not disappoint God. If we have a law mindset, it’s natural to think that we have disappointed God. But that’s impossible. Disappointment comes from unmet expectations and God doesn’t have any. Before we were born He knew everything we would ever say and do. How long it would take us to come to the Cross. How many times we would stumble. Make mistakes. Even the mistakes we haven’t made yet. Knowing all this, He still loves us!
Under law it’s natural to think of our shortcomings and project them as disappointments onto our heavenly Father. No! He loves us with an unfailing love 1 Corinthians 13:8. He knows all our faults, yet chooses to remember them no more. Hebrews 8:12.
Today, let’s have faith in Him and His amazing grace — and COME ALIVE!
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