Advent I
Unlocking the Gospel Secrets of Spirituality
Discover what difference reading these scriptures while Thinking Leaglism or Feeling Grace can make.
The Grace Language of Jesus
SPIRITUALITY CAN CHANGE OUR LIFE
Jesus spoke a foreign language. He took literal words the legalist understood and gave them a new spiritual meaning.
Legalism thinks all truth is literal. Grace knows the difference between literal and spiritual truth.
It is impossible to be right with God by trying to be right. Apart from Jesus we can never do anything right. John 15:5.
Matthew 6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.”
I thought I wanted grace; turns out I just wanted legalism's paychecks!
Think literal Legalism: “Walk in the light” is to obediently follow the laws of the Bible.
Feel the spiritual Grace: “Walk in the light” is to abide in Jesus.
OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 2:1-5
| Think literal Legalism: | “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD!” |
| Feel the spiritual Grace: | “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk spiritually in the light of the LORD!” |
When God is not the center of our lives, we are off balance!
Think literal Legalism: “Standing” is literally physical.
Feel the spiritual Grace: “Standing” is spiritually experiencing the grace of God.
PSALM: 122
| Think literal Legalism: | Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem. |
| Feel the spiritual Grace: | Our feet are standing spiritually within your gates, O Jerusalem. |
Legalistically being different is not the same as gracefully making a difference!
Think literal Legalism: “Darkness” and “light” are literally about rational thinking.
Feel the spiritual Grace: “Darkness” and “light” are about being in the grace spiritually.
EPISTLE: Romans 13:11-14
| Think literal Legalism: | “Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” |
| Feel the spiritual Grace: | “Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of spiritual light.” |
Following Jesus costs more than anything; except following legalism!
Think literal Legalism: Being “ready” is literally doing things such as reading scripture and praying to meet Christ.
Feel the spiritual Grace: Being “ready” is to meet Christ spiritually in His grace before doing anything else.
GOSPEL: Matthew 24:36-44
| Think Legalism: | “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.” |
| Feel Grace: | “Therefore you also must be ready spiritually, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.” |
Legalism repairs and repents. Grace prepares and prevents!
Share your insights in the comments below
For further study see the follow on Advent I Meditation.
Comments (0)