HOW GOD'S WORD AND GOD'S SPIRIT BOTH MUST BE PRESENT IN OUR LIFE
Often in Christian circles today, there is the Great Debate about the Value of Scripture in its ENTIRITY for our lives to be Complete and Transformed. ENTIRITY is the key point of focus here, because often there is seemingly a debate on Old Testament versus New Testament meaning and value in our present times. Certain groups of Christians tend to focus on God’s law and commandments as the key point of focus for their lives. This focus can tend toward a “Legalistic” approach by some; Others simply view it as God Breathed Truth that should still be an Active and Important part of every Christian's walk with Christ and Relationship with God. OLD TESTAMENT FOCUS…or simply a desire to take in the ENTIRE WORD OF GOD ? Other groups of Christians tend to focus on the NEW TESTAMENT and Jesus, and the New Covenant that He has brought to Mankind. GRACE is the key part of this understanding, because Jesus died for our sins that we might be Forgiven ! Seems simple, but what if this group believes that Jesus has given them Grace and Freedom with no need to consider behavior and a Righteous Life to be an accountability Factor from God in their relationship with Him ? I have watched relationships fracture into disrepair and separation due to this “Battle” of The Law versus Grace. It can even produce a viewpoint of “My God is not Your God”. The Old Testament Mean and Strict God versus the New Testament Loving God ! It may sound silly or farfetched, but believe me, it is not. How Do You Look At This Issue ? Do you lean one way or the other ? In my Christian Life, the early years were spent primarily focused on my “feelings” and how Jesus had given me Relationship and Comfort. I was no longer Alone ! I had a “Savior” who loved me, and I centered on His Love and Grace. IT WAS GOOD AND PRETTY DARN SIMPLE:) As I grew older, I began to realize that my behavior and lifestyle were a little too “loose” for someone who professed to be “Christian”. I started to “discern” that Freedom In Christ had a lot more to do with HOW I WALKED OUT WHO GOD WANTED ME TO BE, THAN SIMPLY BEING SAVED ! Salvation is just the Beginning of the Journey. The MEAT of the Journey lies in TRANSFORMATION ! Jesus doesn’t just Save Us to be the same old person….He Saves Us to Make Us A New Creation:) TRANSFORMED, BORN AGAIN, CHANGED,….Absolutely CHANGED ! The truth is, GOD’S GRACE gives us FREEDOM to become what GOD’S WORD wants us to BECOME !
FOR THE WORD OF GOD IS LIVING AND ACTIVE, SHARPER THAN ANY TWO EDGED SWORD, PIERCING TO THE DIVISION OF SOUL AND OF SPIRIT, OF JOINTS AND OF MARROW, AND DISCERNING THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTIONS OF THE HEART. Hebrews 4:12
YOUR WORD IS A LAMP TO MY FEET AND A LIGHT TO MY PATH. Psalm 119:105
ALL SCRIPTURE IS BREATHED OUT BY GOD AND PROFITABLE FOR TEACHING, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, AND FOR TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE COMPLETE, EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK. 2 Timothy 3: 16-17
BUT HE SAID TO ME, “MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU, FOR MY POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS.” THEREFORE I WILL BOAST ALL THE MORE GLADLY OF MY WEAKNESS, SO THAT THE POWER OF CHRIST MAY REST UPON ME. 2 Corinthians 12:9
FOR SIN WILL HAVE NO DOMINION OVER YOU, SINCE YOU ARE NOT UNDER LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE. Romans 6:14
AND ARE JUSTIFIED BY HIS GRACE AS A GIFT, THROUGH THE REDEMPTION THAT IS JESUS CHRIST. Romands 3:24
So, there is a lot to take in and meditate on in these Scriptures. I SEE how God’s Word is a light to whom I should be, and how I should act ( Psalm 119:105). I SEE how God’s Word molds me and makes me Complete ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Jesus tells me that HIS GRACE is sufficient for me…hmmm…in My Weakness, HIS POWER is made Perfect ( 2 Corinthians 12:9). Sin has no dominion over me, since I am Not under the Law, but I AM under Grace (Romans 6:14). I am Justified by the Grace Of Jesus, which is a Gift (Romans 3:24). HOW DOES THIS ALL COME TOGETHER ??? In My journey, it has taken me a lot of effort toward asking GOD for Discernment, Truth, and Understanding. It takes the Power of The Holy Spirit, and a Desire in One;s Heart to Love God, and seek His Love:) Understanding is a Journey. It is filled with pivotable battles and questions, and it takes Time and Effort to keep moving Ahead. Lose Complacency and Comfort, because You HUNGER AND THIRST FOR MORE ! I battled the Law a lot….because I didn’t like some of it; I thought it was irrelevant to Today’s times, and my Identity ( Christian, not Jewish). I understood that it Identified Sin, but I also understood and understand that if I Am Under It, I am in BONDAGE ! I can’t live it out on my own, and I am so BURDENED with the weight of it. I cried out: “God, how do I relate to this as a Christian ?” “ I want GRACE, and peace, and Freedom !” AND, God quietly gave me this TRUTH for my Journey:)
“JIM, My Word will show you my Character and My Holiness. It will show you how to WALK in My Ways. Take it in and study it. It will lead you to Righteousness and Completeness…..but you are weak on your own. The law alone will show you sin. In yourself, and your sin, we will always be separated. TAKE HEART ! I LOVE YOU ! I have sent MY SON to not only SAVE YOU, but to allow you to overcome sin and separation by Giving Your Life To Him. In Him, YOU ARE REBORN ! The bondage and separation of your inability to live Righteously on your pwn has been Gathered Up and FULFILLED BY JESUS FOR YOUR REDEMPTION AND SALVATION ! What you can’t do On Your Own, Jesus Has Done For You:) MY WORD IS YOUR FOUNDATION. MY SON JESUS GIVES IT THE POWER TO TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE ! Do you understand Why His Yoke Is Light ? Because HE CARRIES THE THINGS YOU CAN”T AND FULFILLS THEM THAT YOU AND I MIGHT BE COMPLETE IN RELATIONSHIP:) Foundation and Truth….with POWER AND AUTHORITY. YOU just need to Live in the Grace of My Son, and that Trust and Relationship will allow My Word to be “WRITTEN ON YOUR HEART !”
HIS DIVINE POWER HAS GRANTED TO US ALL THINGS THAT PERTAIN TO LIFE AND GODLINESS, THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM WHO CALLED US TO HIS OWN GLORY AND EXCELLENCE. 2 Peter 1:3
I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM WHO STRENGTHENS ME. Philippians 4:13
Jesus Christ is THE WORD. Jesus Christ is THE POWER. HE is the WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE :) HE is both FOUNDATION AND GRACE. He lived His Life on earth as a Jewish man who followed God’s Law (Torah), because it IS LIFE. HE DIED AND ROSE, that IN HIM, We will live in God’s Ways and Righteousness with Power and Authority. GOD NEVER CHANGES. What He has Spoken and Created will Forever Stand, and in His Grace, WE will Enter His Kingdom at the GLORY OF HIS SON, JESUS THE CHRIST ! Hallelujah :)
FOUNDATION AND POWER IN CHRIST/JAA
HE IS THE RADIANCE OF THE GLORY OF GOD AND THE EXACT IMPRINT OF HIS NATURE, AND HE UPHOLDS THE UNIVERSE BY THE WORD OF HIS POWER. AFTER MAKING PURIFICATIONFOR SINS, HE SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE MAJESTY ON HIGH. Hebrews 1:3