Galatians 2:15b "...a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus..." (NASB)
We like to have our rules, don't we? Rules are sometimes necessary - things like traffic laws, for example. Those are the rules we all must obey for smooth traffic flow on the drive home. But what about religious rules?
Those have some merit as well. "Thou shalt not murder," for example. Rules for basic living that we all must obey for the smooth flow of traffic on the drive home. (I know, ironic!)
When rules become something like they did under the Pharisees, things that we do that make us better than you, they become a problem. "Look how good we are, we're obeying all the rules. See? We obey the rules, and you don't! What's the matter with you? Can't you read the sign? She's wearing too much makeup, he snorts when he laughs, they wear purple shirts, he listens to any music but the two acceptable kinds, country AND western..." you get the idea.
Friends, it is not rules that save us. It is faith in Jesus Christ. Nothing more - and nothing less. If you think you are a "good person," be very careful. The scripture says that "all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment." (Isa 64:6b) There is nothing we can do, no place we can go, no deed we can accomplish that can make us right in God's eyes. If you think following the saviour means "keeping the rules" you are mistaken.
In Matthew 22:37, Jesus explains there are only two rules that matter: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. ’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘ You shall love your neighbour as yourself. ’ 40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” But what does that mean? It means you live your life not to follow the rules and be better than others, but to please Him. In many ways, the effect is the same - but in motivation there is a world of difference.
So pay attention to what motivates you. Is it your pride in "keeping the rules," or is it your love for Jesus Christ? May it be the latter.
Heavenly Father, help us to love you and please you, laying aside our vain pride, that we may win others to your Son through our behaviour and conduct.
Gerry
---
"You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
-John 8:32 (NASB)
We like to have our rules, don't we? Rules are sometimes necessary - things like traffic laws, for example. Those are the rules we all must obey for smooth traffic flow on the drive home. But what about religious rules?
Those have some merit as well. "Thou shalt not murder," for example. Rules for basic living that we all must obey for the smooth flow of traffic on the drive home. (I know, ironic!)
When rules become something like they did under the Pharisees, things that we do that make us better than you, they become a problem. "Look how good we are, we're obeying all the rules. See? We obey the rules, and you don't! What's the matter with you? Can't you read the sign? She's wearing too much makeup, he snorts when he laughs, they wear purple shirts, he listens to any music but the two acceptable kinds, country AND western..." you get the idea.
Friends, it is not rules that save us. It is faith in Jesus Christ. Nothing more - and nothing less. If you think you are a "good person," be very careful. The scripture says that "all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment." (Isa 64:6b) There is nothing we can do, no place we can go, no deed we can accomplish that can make us right in God's eyes. If you think following the saviour means "keeping the rules" you are mistaken.
In Matthew 22:37, Jesus explains there are only two rules that matter: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. ’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘ You shall love your neighbour as yourself. ’ 40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” But what does that mean? It means you live your life not to follow the rules and be better than others, but to please Him. In many ways, the effect is the same - but in motivation there is a world of difference.
So pay attention to what motivates you. Is it your pride in "keeping the rules," or is it your love for Jesus Christ? May it be the latter.
Heavenly Father, help us to love you and please you, laying aside our vain pride, that we may win others to your Son through our behaviour and conduct.
Gerry
---
"You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
-John 8:32 (NASB)
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