Daily Reading 6-30-17
Galatians 5:7-10 New Living Translation (NLT)
Since the coming of Christ, humanity has experienced a propensity for choosing a legalistic approach to faith rather than the gospel of grace Christ actually modeled and taught. Christ modeled the perfect fulfillment of the Law given to Moses by God; therefore, as we live and move and have our being in Christ we will learn how to obey God’s true Word as it is spoken to our hearts. The Spirit speaks and we listen and obey. Christ’s followers are not to be burdened by the “job description or code” of how to earn salvation by following the Law in our own strength. Apart from Christ and the power of his Spirit, we cannot begin to obey. If we try to make ourselves holy by practicing a do’s and don’ts list, we will fail every time.
Either we believe in the work of Christ on the cross to save us from our sins or we do not. Grace provides forgiveness for our sins when we believe. The cross is where the truth of grace actually begins; where we begin the training race of faith in the Spirit who brings holiness to human life. If we are being taught anything other than obedience to the Word in us, we are leaning toward false teaching or legalism. Christ came to set us free, so we could learn from him as we live life. How loving is he? Thank Amazing Grace!
In our passage, today, the Apostle Paul continues his letter to the Church at Galatia. Legalism is an issue and the person teaching it is distorting the gospel. Mary paraphrasing the Apostle, “Come back to the truth and run the race in Christ!” Blessings for your day…
Galatians 5:7-12 Christ Has Set Us Free
7 You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? 8 It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. 9 This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! 10 I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you.
Prayer: Father, please help me to stay focused on learning, because that is what you have called me to do in my connection to Christ. Today, I am going to take steps and I want each one to count for your Kingdom. Thank you for taking my sin, so I may learn from you how to operate in holy love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.