From Law to Justification

Before Jesus’ death fulfilled the law, we could only get a superior answers regarding restrictions by following Old Testaments ways laid out in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers.  Galatians 4:1 says,  “Now I say as their heir, as long as he is a child he does not differ from a slave, tho he is master of all.”  Having many laws, which all Jews had to abide in, makes it all work work work. 

Non-believer don’t have any restrictions, on the other side, believers obey a set of laws to show their faith, that they have the gift of life, hallelujah! We have an extremely merciful God who sent a solution for life only offered to believers, not by works lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:9). Now there’s  justification and growth by sending his son Jesus to die for us, saving each believer as it says in Galatians 4:4 “But when the fullness of time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.” The old law served it’s purpose, now we can grow in the magnificent blood of Christ saving us from death and the laws. We don’t save ourselves, life is a gift from God.

From Law to Faith

Being immersed in the Spirit is the opposite of strictly following the law of the Old Testament, which was an uncompromising tally system that was the only way to prove you know God. Prior to Jesus’ grace and the free gift we have now through Christ, we had to follow the system. Now you are saved by faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works so that no one can boast.”

It’s nothing we did, it’s all because of Jesus. Galatians 3:1-2 emphasizes this point. “You foolish Galatians! Who bewitched you? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard?” The Spirit fills each believer after salvation, we need Jesus because He alone can fulfill the law. Your actions will not save you, only Jesus can. Galatians 3:3 says, “Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” Don’t be boneheaded and think you can save yourself. It’s actually reassuring that we can’t for we can never be perfect. Thank you Jesus for fulfilling the law and saving us. 

Rejoice, Until You’re Blue in the Face

Great news is here, Jesus has risen from the dead, this unbelievable miracle gives believers the best news. Since the resurrection happened christians now have life through Him and can firmly firmly say, "can't stop and won't stop believing!" With the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we speak the good news of Jesus rising from the dead to everyone, telling this fact to all you meet until you're blue in the face. Why? Because you never stop rejoicing in the beauty of having Christ.

The disciples, who were so excessively faithful and dedicated to him, were later martyred for spreading the good news. Yet that never stopped them from proclaiming Jesus! Sure can't blame them for this excitement, it's an outrageous sight to see a body missing from the tomb. Mark 16:5-6 says "And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were shocked. He said to them, do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. But now shout for joy from this fantastic news He is a risen King."

So if you know Him, keep spreading the good news as Jesus says in Matthew 28: 18-20, “Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'' Rejoice, and keep spreading the good news until you're blue in the face.

Let Christ Lead

 

Choices are everywhere, it’s not always stop or go options. Life leads you to a fork in the road, don’t take the dark tempting route with the pesky devil, instead follow Jesus as it says in John 10:10. “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” A beautiful reminder from our Lord Jesus to remain with Him. Why? Because if you get conned by mr. conner the devil he simply will destroy you, while Jesus will give a satisfying life. Luke 23:28 continues this thought. “But Jesus turned and said to them, Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for Jerusalem and for your children.” What a marvelous representation of how our existence should be living for others, even in trials. While suffering on the cross, Jesus thought of others. We need to focus off ourselves, take the right path, and make the best choices having Christ lead the way. 

Alone it is Impossible. With Christ, Possible

Life is filled with blessings and trials, often we only see the hardships and the impossibilities. While complaining, we miss the blessings, and forget to look towards Christ. Even after many calamities, and you’re still not seeing the results or blessings, don’t give up! It’s not a sign to quit, better yet, turn trials into opportunities to trust in God. This may seem impossible, but when we have Christ, it transforms “impossible” into simply an “opportunity”. 

An example of turning impossible into an opportunity is when Jesus used two fish and five loaves of bread to feed thousands. What would normally feed one or two people (and maybe some potatoes or a salad to make it a complete meal when ordered from a fancy restaurant) Jesus displayed his splendor with a thrilling miracle, He multiplied the fish and bread! The event is written about in Mark 6:41, “Taking the five loaves and two fish and looking to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then gave them to His disciples to distribute them to his people, He also divided two fish among them all.” There were 5000 people and they were all happily fed. Mark 6:42 “They all ate and were satisfied.” 

How amazing is our Christ? He can make things that are impossible and turn it into an opportunity to bless! No one said, “please sir can I have some more?” but were full and happy. His greatness provides when there is little or even none, there’s always an opportunity. He even answers prayers we never think to ask. God works above and beyond, many things on our own are impossible, but nothing is impossible for God.

No More Tally Marks

 

Welcome to the refreshing way of life with Jesus. His sacrifice fulfilled the Law, creating a new life with no overpowering rules. Jesus is the way to life, you must believe and have faith in Him to be saved, and once saved, live your life loving your God and others. 

With Him we can look beyond this world to the Heavenly things. To get everyone’s eyes off these crazy times and find peace from the Lord as it says in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” There is hope and peace in Jesus. “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.” Mark 5:36b Christ has turned a burden of the old testament life to a blessing with freedom and peace in Jesus! He didn’t come to tally people with the Law, but came to fulfill the Law and bring peace and life to those who believe in Him, thank you Jesus!

Christ the Gardener

Photo of Kathy’s watermelon.

As I was watching my freshly planted watermelon and cantaloupe grow in the garden, I realized they thrived because of proper soil nourishment and care provided by my dad. This garden was not left up for chance, some birds didn’t fly aimlessly and plant the seeds in some ground that was “tilled” by dogs digging holes, but in prepared dirt which would nourish the seeds. If it was all left to luck, the seeds would fall on barren land and never have an opportunity to grow. Mark 4:4 says, “as he was sowing, some seed fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate it up.” Just like our walks with Christ, we need to nourish our soil so our seeds can grow. 

Sure, we could plant seeds but if we don’t have our eyes focused on Christ, read our Bibles, and keep on walking with Him, we can easily hit a rock beneath us as these plants do and not able to exhibit growth as it says in Mark 4:5 “some seed fell on rocky ground where it did not have much soil; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth or soil.” This could pop up in our own lives if we’re not careful. People say, “well, I read my Bible and go to church every Sunday, but all these bad or hard things happened to me. I’m tired of this, so no more.”  Make sure you are truly planted in God’s garden. 

True Christians are sown in Christ. Mark 4:20 “Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produced a crop-some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.” Grow slow, grow deep, grows tall. In our zeal we may grow quick, but in that fastness you never developed deep roots in God, and at the first sign of wind you collapse. The plant dies off and never grows a watermelon. Be the seed that germinates, grows rich roots, and bears copious amounts of melons. Others will see the fruit of your actions, and you’ll be the water to their soil. Grow slow and steady in the Lord, mature, be strong in the Lord, and if you fall, it’s ok, God will prop you up with a bamboo stick, tie you to it, and lovingly help you grow strong.