16d • General discussion
Thoughts after todays Ekklesia...
Just wanted to let you all know, my wife was present, all bundled up, nose dripping and coughing... allergies have hit her hard this year... she should be better by Thanksgiving day but please pray for her - all the coughing makes her body sore, anyway - she said she had enjoyed the conversation, it was different. And it spurred on a distinct conversation between us on the way to a local Cuban restaurant for some Croquetas & Café con leche ...
One of the worst false teachings out there is that Christians like to sin – we Don’t.
Sure, the flesh might get a flash-in-the-pan thrill from sin, but moments later, the Real us sets off alarm bells. We don’t want to do anything that isn’t guided by the Holy Spirit. We truly want what God wants. Does God want to lie, cheat, and steal? No, and neither do you, and you don’t want to be legalistic either.
“Then, what do I do? -How do I know what is right and wrong? - I need a list!”
You really don’t.
Living by a list was Old Covenant, that’s how Israel lived. Their list was “613 things to do and not do,” ten of those things were the Ten Commandments. They always looked to this directory to define sin. Now, on this side of the Cross, anything that is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23).
“Anything that is not of faith is sin?!
What does that mean?!”
It means anything you do or don’t do, think or don’t think, which is not led by Christ within you, is sin–but you are NOT sinful. You are a brand new sinless creation! You ARE A SAINT. (2 Corinthians 5:17).
“But wait, what do I do! ... I need something to do!”
Okay. I’ll give you something to do, but these two things will come naturally anyway as you just be yourself.
Here they are:
Believe.
Love.
These are the two new commandments Jesus gave to us (John 13:34, 1 John 3:23). These two commandments are not added to Moses’ 613–because the Bible says that list can’t be modified (see Deuteronomy 4:2)–instead, they’ve replaced them. These commandments are not burdensome.
613 "all-or-nothing" were, and the Jews were ecstatic to get relief from that list (1 John 5:3, John 8:36, Matthew 11:28-30).
Legalistic teaching can lead a person to THINK they need a ton of stuff to do and not do.
Thinking comes by way of what we allow to enter our eyes and ears. A hint of legalism causes us to never find rest, as we’re constantly reaching out for the dangling carrot of impressing others and God (Galatians 5:9).
Because of this, the "grace-confused" folk believe God comes and goes based on their performance.
I hear Christians say all time, “I need Jesus!” but they already HAVE Yeshua.
Behavior-focused sermons are to blame.
I also hear believers make the claim, “I gotta get closer to God!” But inside of God is as close as you can possibly can get, and that’s where He’s hidden every believer (Colossians 3:3).
Some say, “We need a revival!”
But we don’t need that either. Revival means to "come back to life" – yet, we’ve done that by accepting Yeshua’s life as our own! (Colossians 3:4, John 3:16).
What we need is our minds RENEWED to Him being 100% in us, teaching us gently, and that He’ll never go away as long as He lives. We need to be taught more about who we ALREADY are, that way we can mature into who we already are (Romans 12:2, Philippians 1:6, Galatians 5:22-23, Hebrews 7:25, John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 13:11).
Horrendous, legalistic, “You’ll never be good enough!” tutoring enters our soul through our eyes and ears. Protect them at all costs! KNOW THE TRUTH! KNOW WHO YOU ARE! Christian, follower of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach, You are complete!
You are lacking nothing!
Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you away from legalism in the same way He guides you away from watching porn, beating up your spouse, using the silent treatment, getting drunk all the time in front of your kids, or “innocently” flirting on social media. All of this stuff is damaging to your life’s enjoyment. There is a better way, an authentic way. The way of a saint. That’s what you are, believer.
Sorry, didn't mean to rant on like that, just writing what came to mind after our conversations today...
I ALWAYS welcome any thoughts, comments, questions, or correction if need be, and I am always open to discussion pretty much anytime & anyday.
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Thoughts after todays Ekklesia...
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