At first glance it does seem that law and grace are opposed. Even the Bible seems to be divided into two sections the Old Testament (law) and New Testament (grace).
The Old Testament and especially the first five books are all about law. How God expects righteousness from everyone. In fact God gives man the Ten Commandments in this section of the Bible. Surely this means that God expects man to live up to the Ten Commandments in an effort to please Him. Right?
Well if you take the Bible as a whole you begin to understand that the Ten Commandments were never given as a way to please God. God knows us, and our limits. They were given as a way to show us how far short we fall, a measuring stick to show us just how much we need Him.
Sound a little hopeless? It is hopeless to think that we can keep the Ten Commandments. Jesus showed us that in his teachings. "If a man hates it is the same as murder in the sight of God." Think about that. If you want to live under the Law then a white lie has the same penalty as murder!
It is pretty obvious that it is mans pride that makes him think he can keep the Law!
Forget about "It means strive for perfection" try that in a court of law. Smile!
Galatians 2:21
"I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
The good news is that the law makes us realize just how much we really need God! It is the righteousness of God's Son that makes us acceptable in God's sight, not anything we have done.
Ephesians 2:8
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God."
Because of that, we can concentrate on doing what God put us here on Earth for, instead of being under the burden of striving for something just out of reach!
God loves his creation and wants us to be free and productive for Him. We do not need to worry about genes, heredity, sexuality, or environment.
Just relax in Him and learn who we are in God and He will show us what is best for us!
Chris Hampton
Alpha Life Fellowship
http://www.alpha-links.com
Make no mistake about it, change is challenging whether it... Read More
Attachment... Bondage... Moha... state as we may but the meaning... Read More
What is a Christian? According to The American Heritage? Dictionary... Read More
Contrary to popular beliefs, we are not our mind, our... Read More
I started reading the book "The Purpose Driven Life" about... Read More
In Corrogue, Celtic mythology helps me live a wonderful life.As... Read More
Nicole Kidman and Will Ferrell recently starred in the movie... Read More
'Jesus answered, are there not twelve hours in a day?... Read More
We want to hear from God so that we may... Read More
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,... Read More
I cringed lower into the seat of my grey metal... Read More
Meeting someone so attractive, so beautiful. Your heart beats like... Read More
By invoking an external God to whom we look for... Read More
The story of Cain and Abel stands very close to... Read More
(Channeled) Spirituality is about everyday life, which includes getting up... Read More
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. --ROMANS... Read More
David understood the aguish only those who have chosen to... Read More
In this article, I would like deal with one specific... Read More
Five verses specify that we are to live by faith.... Read More
In the movie "A Beautiful Mind" John Nash (played by... Read More
Angels, those divine beings of love and light, are here... Read More
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me,... Read More
As a walked across the gym floor with perspiration coming... Read More
"No man is a prophet in his own country."That line... Read More
Do you think it's acceptable for people to make millions... Read More
scheduled maid service Mundelein ..Am I dreaming? The sign outside the skyscraper reads: "Spiritual... Read More
Paul is led up a 512 ft. hill, Mars Hill,... Read More
Matthew 3:7-10 John Rebukes the Pharisees and Sadducees7 But when... Read More
Water of Enlightenment, Angel of Peace and Harmony for Nature... Read More
Enlightenment can come in an instant or it may take... Read More
Spirit - All Around Us, All of Us, Every One... Read More
It is life, time for breathing deep, sighs and touching... Read More
On reading Susan Cato's Time Magazine Canada piece titled, "In... Read More
???Now is the time for all good men to come... Read More
How did an artist accidently learn healing visualizations and improve... Read More
The lighter side of Tarot deals with games played using... Read More
Among some of us who deem ourselves spiritual, the use... Read More
Years ago, my minister spoke to us about how you... Read More
Spiritual health is generally an overlooked aspect of healing. However,... Read More
Obviously, if you really want to learn about the meanings... Read More
Do you ever have one of those days when you... Read More
To find out how psychic you are, try answering the... Read More
This article is the 1st part of an open response... Read More
Have you ever thought about how your orientation to time... Read More
One cannot ask why bad things happen to good people... Read More
Sundered Knight:Although the world, Denies the weak aid and justice,... Read More
An Illuminatus Speaks:You will have to decide if this Illuminatus... Read More
It's the most powerful weapon on Earth. It can turn... Read More
Looking for some ways to feed your soul in the... Read More
The practice of meditating on loving-kindness may be over two... Read More
Spirituality |