Grace And Truth

• Printable Version - Share on Facebook - Posted by Dion Todd December 4, 2018 - Filed in Devotional - 5,716 views
  You were running well! Who interfered with you that you should not obey the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. Galatians 5:7'8 WEB
  
  The Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians, who had been turned away from grace by some legalistic brothers. Though the Galatians were gentiles (non Jewish), they were taught that they had to obey the 613 commandments of law as if they were Jews in order to be saved.
  
  Paul asked them who had cut in on them to keep them from obeying the truth. The term 'cut in' means 'to hinder, interrupt, to get in the way.' Anyone that has been cut off in traffic has experienced this. The Galatians had been pushed away from grace and truth.
  
  Legalism has always been a hindrance to a move of God. I find that when my desire for God starts to weaken, that I slowly gravitate towards a set of rules and soon I become close-minded and lukewarm. Where there is legalism, the personal relationship is pretty much dead, and a timely word from God (Rhema) is necessary to bring back the fire.
  
  When you connect with the heart of God, you will find that it is never about keeping rules. It is about love. His commandments are for our protection and provide us a guide for a happy life. 'Sleep with your neighbors wife, and he may kill you, so do not do that'' 'Turn the other cheek, lest you be stabbed, for it takes two to fight.'
  
  Jesus was full of grace and truth, but He constantly faced legalism while He lived on earth. The Pharisees wanted to 'correct' Him:
  
  'The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, 'Why don't your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?' He answered them, 'Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, 'This people honors me with their lips, But their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' 'For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men'the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things.' He said to them, 'Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition' (Mark 7:5'9).
  
  Jesus said that the Pharisees 'set aside' the commandments of God, and held tightly to their traditions. They had added an 'oral torah' alongside God's law that was passed down through the generations and contained things like washing the arms up to the elbow seven times before eating. They worked hard, for nothing.
  
  The same tendency lives with us today. Stay teachable, stay humble, for when you feel like you have arrived, that is a sure sign that you have not. 'Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. But if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he doesn't yet know as he ought to know' (1 Corinthians 8:1'2).
  
  The only way to stay balanced is to stay close to God and be led by the Holy Spirit. 'But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law' (Galatians 5:18). It is something that we must do daily to keep the fire burning.
  
  Prayer: Heavenly Father, please draw my heart to You and light a fire within me. Let me be known as Your disciple because of my love for others. Share Your heart with me and teach me to hear Your voice clearly, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
  
  Note: For those interested in capturing or viewing photos of God's creation, here is this week's theme message from Creation Photographers: Thank you to everyone that joined in our group fun this week! I really enjoyed every post. Keeps my mind focused on positive things! Isaiah 55:10 "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,". Our theme this week will be 'Winter Wonderland' and is open for interpretation as always. Not all places snow in winter, so show us what it looks like where you are. My first photo (in the group) reflects winter this year and was taken last week. May the rain and snow be kind to you this year, making you bud and flourish into all God has planned for you. God bless! Here is the link to participate in this group: Creation Photographers group
  
  
  

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