"The believer is married to Christ! It’s a LOVE RELATIONSHIP not a LAW (LEGAL) RELATIONSHIP. This love relationship (joined to Christ and in union with Him) is what Christianity is all about. Christianity is not a RELIGION, it’s a relationship to a PERSON, the Son of God (John 17:3). It’s not doing something but it’s knowing Someone (John 17:3; 1 John 2:3-4). It is not a set of rules and it is not a system of morality. It is a unique and intimate relationship with the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.
Many in our day have lost sight of this truth. For many the Christian life has degenerated into another legalistic religious system. It is common for people to get wrapped up in rules and regulations and requirements and duties. It is easy for one to think that the Christian life is reading the Bible and praying and witnessing and memorizing and doing certain things and not doing certain other things. We know how a Christian ought to live, we know how a Christian ought to act, we know how a Christian ought to speak, we know how a Christian ought to think, we know the kinds of things a Christian ought to do and we know the kinds of things a Christian ought not to do, AND WITHOUT REALIZING IT THE CHRISTIAN LIFE HAS LOST THE VERY THING THAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT FROM EVERY OTHER RELIGION. We have missed the whole point.
To emphasize this, let’s see what the Bible does not say:
Philippians 1:21 -- For to me to live is reading my Bible, memorizing Scripture, praying at least 15 minutes daily and witnessing at every opportunity.
Philippians 3:8 -- I count all things but loss for the excellency of trying to guard my tongue, trying to overcome my bad habits and trying to have my daily devotions.
Philippians 3:10 --That I may do this and avoid doing that and that I may force myself to witness and avoid every appearance of evil.
Revelation 2:4 -- Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy daily Bible reading schedule and thou hast broken thy New Year’s resolutions and thou hast failed to keep the Ten Commandments.
2 Corinthians 5:9 -- Wherefore we labour (we are ambitious), that, whether present or absent, we may watch our temper, keep following our strict diet, memorize verses, get enough rest, and not watch too many bad television shows.
What do these verses really say? In the above verses the emphasis is upon KNOWING and LOVING and PLEASING a PERSON! Read carefully Colossians 1:9-12. Notice the emphasis of this great prayer: to know His will (v.9), to walk with Him (v.10), to please Him (v.10), to increase in my knowledge of Him (v.10), to be strengthened by Him (v.11), to be joyful in Him (v.11), to thank Him (v.12)!"
5 comments:
When God instituted the law, the Pharisees did not say, " How shall we keep the law?", instead they said " How shall we not break the law?" The result of religion. The difference is so sutle, yet just like yeast can spoil the whole batch, so thid decision did the intention of God's law, which is summed up in Love.
Be careful not to fall into the same trap from the other side and say." How shall we not live under law?" as opposed to, " How shall we live in Grace?" You cannot put words in God's mouth.
you have a ver very narrow view of the concept of law.
you reduce the law to....reading my Bible, memorizing Scripture, praying at least 15 minutes daily and witnessing at every opportunity and...
trying to guard my tongue, trying to overcome my bad habits and trying to have my daily devotions and....
watch our temper, keep following our strict diet, memorize verses, get enough rest, and not watch too many bad television shows.
....none of which the bible is talking about really
that's why you guys have been duped, without understanding the powerful thrust of the gospel
your gospel is rather silly really
Hey Clive...thanks for the comment.
first you say there were Pharisees around when God instituted the law...you wont find the word pharisee in the old testament...second, there is no difference between saying how can we keep the law as opposed to how can we not break the law...third, thanks for the warning...
Anon, thanks for the comment...you right "my" gospel is rather silly, actually God himself called it foolishness.
lol
what is foolishness?
committing suicide is foolishness.
taking on somebody good grades as yours is foolishness
not checking your facts and denouncing your critics is foolishness
selling your soul to imperialism is foolishness
and lastly...
please sent your son to jail for someone's crime...that's brilliant, not foolishness
hmmm...which side of foolishness are you on?
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