Faith vs. Law
We live in a culture that places great importance on reaching goals, so we often create task lists that will help us reach our goals. The more we check off on our to-do list, the better we feel. There is a sense of freedom in reaching the goal of finishing college, paying off our debt, or reaching retirement; therefore, we feel good about all we accomplish.
Unfortunately, too many adults approach their relationship with God in the same way. If they pray, read their Bible, put money in the offering plate, or perform some other “religious task,” they think they can check that off their list and feel that God is pleased with them. Adults need a reminder that the Christian life is not a list of tasks to be completed; it is a relationship based on grace.
The Galatians had come to faith in Christ, but resorted to keeping the law as the path to maturity (Gal. 3:1-3). Paul reminded them that their receiving of the Spirit had nothing to do with keeping the law.
Believers must be careful to avoid the trap of legalism.
Believers can know that they received the Holy Spirit when they believed in Christ.
Believers need to recognize that the Christian life is not lived by human effort alone but involves the work of the Holy Spirit in them.
It’s all about grace. And more grace.
What ways do you see Christians try to impres
by obeying the ten command
What ways do you see Christians try to impress God?
by obeying the ten commandments.
I have some personal experience with this. For many years now I've felt the call to be a minister, but had countless excuses to ignore it. I still wanted to impress God, however, and tried to forge my own path I hoped would be acceptable to Him. I tried my best to convince myself it was the right path. My refusal to accept the truth led God to take me on a winding path that led me to Korea because I felt I had to do something hard and big to prove my worth. It was only upon arriving here that I realized my mistake, and God was able to set me on the right path.That said I find it amazing that God knew the strange path I needed to go on to finally accept the truth. I'm thankful for that, and am now working hard to fix my mistake. I've accepted who I was made to be, and I'm working hard to gain an understanding of grace that has long eluded me. I get it on paper. Applying it has always been hard. Part of what my problem was b
I have some personal experience with this. For many years now I've felt the call to be a minister, but had countless excuses to ignore it. I still wanted to impress God, however, and tried to forge my own path I hoped would be acceptable to Him. I tried my best to convince myself it was the right path. My refusal to accept the truth led God to take me on a winding path that led me to Korea because I felt I had to do something hard and big to prove my worth. It was only upon arriving here that I realized my mistake, and God was able to set me on the right path.That said I find it amazing that God knew the strange path I needed to go on to finally accept the truth. I'm thankful for that, and am now working hard to fix my mistake. I've accepted who I was made to be, and I'm working hard to gain an understanding of grace that has long eluded me. I get it on paper. Applying it has always been hard. Part of what my problem was before.
Wow! What an incredible story. So glad you listened to God's leading – he always uses
Wow! What an incredible story. So glad you listened to God's leading – he always uses that!
Thanks! I still consider it kind of miraculous myself. After I ignored His initial calling He never really forced me to do the right thing. He instead took me down this strange path to help me see the truth. Looking back now I know He used every step of the way to do that. Really helps me understand how He lives outside of time, and sees what needs to be done to get us where we need
Thanks! I still consider it kind of miraculous myself. After I ignored His initial calling He never really forced me to do the right thing. He instead took me down this strange path to help me see the truth. Looking back now I know He used every step of the way to do that. Really helps me understand how He lives outside of time, and sees what needs to be done to get us where we need to be.
It's crazy to step back and see how God uses things in ways we never even registered while they were happ
It's crazy to step back and see how God uses things in ways we never even registered while they were happening!
Agreed! It's about as crazy as it
Agreed! It's about as crazy as it gets.