Daily Reading 6-29-17
Galatians 5:4-6 The Message (MSG)
Over the past few days we have been reminded in our readings to keep Jesus, the Living Word, our first love by inviting the Spirit to teach us how to honor his name. It is a consistent message we find in the gospels, because Jesus taught his disciples, “If you love me you will obey my commandments” (John 14:15). In other words, if we have really taken to heart the gospel of grace, we will respond with respect to the Word of the Lord by allowing its authority to bring a change in our thoughts and behavior. Obedience to God’s Word or Commands is how we are conformed to the image of God’s Love.
Today, we will gain a glimpse of what I just mentioned above from a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Galatia reminding them the gospel is not about an exterior practice of a religious system. Rather, the gospel is a faith-instigated internal obedience to the Word that becomes externally visible in our love walk. How do you see the authority and work of the Word? Do you understand and appropriate the power of the gospel of grace? Pray and ask the Lord to reveal His heart to you regarding this Word, today.
4-6 I suspect you would never intend this, but this is what happens. When you attempt to live by your own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from Christ, you fall out of grace. Meanwhile we expectantly wait for a satisfying relationship with the Spirit. For in Christ, neither our most conscientious religion nor disregard of religion amounts to anything. What matters is something far more interior: faith expressed in love.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be quick to obey your Word to my heart, today. I will recognize my level of obedience by how well I love and extend the fruit of the Spirit, today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.