I've been digging deep into the Book of Galatians in my Bible study time for the past month of July. It has been such a refreshing time for me personally. It seems that the Book of Galatians is directly speaking to me in the situations/friendships that I am currently dealing with and struggling.
In so many ways I just don't understand grace. I'd like God to want something from me in return. Doesn't that just make good sense? He gives me salvation and I give Him.....my pathetic works?
Is it by law that someone gains favor in the sight of God? Is it by the Law that someone maintains his Christian testimony? Is it by the power of the law that a child of God controls the desires of his flesh?
I don't believe I'm the only one confused about this. You wear what??? You don't wear what??? You listen to what???? You really go there??? and on and on and on.
In so many ways we make up our own gospel. One that fits us best or makes the best sense to us. We are selling Christ short. In all of our doing good we are minimizing His work on the cross and putting His children under a form of bondage that could keep them from understanding and walking in the grace of God.
God is not asking me to make a promise that I cannot keep--He is asking me to receive a promise that only He can keep.
----James Ryle
You, Lord do not look a the things that we look at, nor are you impressed with the things that impress us. We look at the outward appearance but You look at the heart.
Forgive me when I am more concerned with the face I show the world than with the heart I present to You. Tear down my facade, Father, so that I can share my real self with You. (from thoughts on 1 Samuel 16:7)
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It's hard to wrap our minds around it, isn't it? I certainly struggle with tending to value the "doing" over "being".
ReplyDeleteThis links to a LONG, but very thought provoking file that deals with some of these questions:
http://www.redeemer2.com/resources/papers/centrality.pdf
I've got a copy printed off to work through ~ there were some statements that I really want to revisit and examine more closely.
How thought-provoking!! I'm gonna have to think and study over this some more. Grace is so hard to wrap my brain around. One thought that pops into my mind is the verse "God gives grace to the humble". This reminds me it is NOT. ABOUT. US. We can't pridefully think we are doing good and thus 'earning' salvation, nor can we pridefully think we are obeying God's commands better than someone else. We must be humble in our obedience.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I pause on your statement about God wanting something from us. The Bible teaches that He does!! He wants us to worship Him in spirit and in truth--He is seeking such to worship Him (John 4:23-24). He wants us to obey His commandments because we love Him. He does want something from us, but let us never think it is an equal exchange!!!!
Perhaps it comes down to attitude? It's not about 'doing pathetic works' or "doing good"--it's about knowing Him and keeping His commandments (I John 2:1-6; John 14:15) But the Bible clearly teaches that if we don't keep His commandments, we don't know Him. shudder It seems to me our obedience is the FRUIT of knowing and loving Him.
And the thought of making up our own gospel! Let it never be! Galatians 1:8 says "let him be accursed". I think I need to talk to you about this one, because I'm not sure what you're saying.
This is what happens when we don't see each other for a long time--I'm not sure where you're at and where you're coming from! :) Love to ya--you've got my thoughts going this morning.
Shonya,
ReplyDeleteIn regards to God wanting something from me what happens is my brain clicks over to
1) read my bible (check)
2) pray for other (check)
3) dress appropriately (check)
ect.........
and these are NOT salvational check points. My desire is to be pleasing to God, but these things don't come from a check list of DOING they are instead a pruning process of BEING.
I think of that quote that says the chief objective of education is not to learn things but to unlearn what you already know.--G.K. Chesteron
When I study JESUS not as the church says He is but by what the Gospels say about Him I am ALWAYS unlearning things.
Jesus died for me when I was yet a lost sinner. When I dwell on that it just overwhelms me that I just can't "DO" anything but love Him and let Him have His way in me. My obedience to Him comes out of that love. His grace is already there.
oooh, well said--literally gave me chills! "My obedience to Him comes out of that love--His grace is already there." Praise God for His goodness toward us, and may we always submit to the Master Potter's molding.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.joyfullyathomeblog.com/2010/08/its-not-for-faint-of-heart.html#more
ReplyDeleteCheck out this post--made me think of your post! And btw, I was looking through both of our reading lists and getting a kick out of how we've influenced one another's reading choices this year. Love and miss ya, my friend.