The apostle Paul got rightfully angry with the Galatian Christians who had fallen away from grace, because they were attempting to earn favor with God by their own behavior. But they already had perfect favor! They already had every blessing! Jesus had given it to them—in full. To believe otherwise was to believe a lie and to give themselves to it through their efforts. That’s how people get hurt. Have you noticed?
Believing that we have to tithe, pray, worship, sing, witness, fast, or love in order to gain favor with God is anti-Christ. Doing something apart from Jesus in order to get what He presumably failed to secure is not only worthless, it is against the truth. For the Galatian Christians to add Jewish customs, ceremonies and rule-keeping to a supposed required mix was to put themselves under a curse (Gal 3:10-14), and an insult to Christ. It was shadow living, even though the reality had come (Col 2:16-17).
In Him—which is where we are now—we have all things. That’s the incredible gospel. That’s the stunning New Covenant. And that’s why we’re crazy in love with Jesus.
We have it all. And that’s all, folks.
Posts
We have been made complete. We cannot add to that! Thanks brother Ralph!
ReplyDeleteRalph, You are kinda sorta getting out there on the edge brother...love it.
ReplyDeleteWhoooooooaaaaa--slow your roll. There are a lot of churches that are going to go out of business if people really start believing this stuff. :D
ReplyDeleteYou know, I simply thought, "It needs to be said and it needs to be plain." I love the New Covenant, and wherever and however we do not believe it, we are injured.
ReplyDeleteAny church that is " in business" ought to be put out of business.
ReplyDeleteI am just starting to understand a little about walking in the faith of Jesus, and learning to hear His voice!!!:-)
ReplyDeleteIt's an incredible and amazing gospel. Thanks for the post, it's a great way to end the day.
ReplyDeleteP-P-P-P-P-erfect!!
ReplyDeleteI've always appreciated the way "Ralph" protects the sheep from the wolves! Thanks Ralph
True Grace spoken here!! PTL "Believing that we have to tithe, pray, worship, sing, witness, fast, or love in order to gain favor with God is anti-Christ." Great statement ... I'm gonna copy and paste ... if that's all right w/you. ... That's all Folks! Who knew Porky the Pig was full of Grace!! lol
ReplyDeleteWow Ralph so well said!, Thanks you Thnaks Jesus. I have tried (with some success) to convey these things to others too but never so well. So consice. What a blessing.
ReplyDeleteBlessed to serve Him with you.
My goodness. Thanks for your comments, everyone.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn, you may always use whatever I post. . .unless you want to hang me with it. :) In that case, get your own rope. Ha! (I've always wondered if Porky Pig wasn't a grace-meister.)
Joe, Thank you very much. You've really encouraged me.