Advent II
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.
In legalism, righteousness is a work we do. In grace, righteousness is a fruit of the Spirit.
Matthew 5:20 “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
The road to grace is a simple journey for people confused by the complications of legalism!
Think literal Legalism: The Spirit is literally resting on Jesus.
Feel the spiritual Grace: When we are spiritually open to His grace, the Spirit of Jesus is resting on us.
OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 11:1-10
| Think literal Legalism: | The spirit of the LORD shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. |
| Feel the spiritual Grace: | The spirit of the LORD shall rest on us, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. |
Gratitude is being in God by ignoring attitude!
Think literal Legalism: Looks for wondrous physical signs.
Feel the spiritual Grace: Experiences the wondrous spiritual signs.
PSALM: 72:1-7, 18-19
| Think literal Legalism: | Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous physical things. |
| Feel the spiritual Grace: | Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous spiritual things. |
Legalism fails: the Holy Spirit fills!
Think literal Legalism: “Encouragement” because the writer of the scripture was inspired.
Feel the spiritual Grace: “Encouragement” because we become spiritually inspired by reading the scripture as well as the author was literally inspired when writing it.
EPISTLE: Romans 15:4-13
| Think literal Legalism: | Literally by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. |
| Feel the spiritual Grace: | by the spiritual encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. |
Faith does not grow in a life of legalism!
Think literal Legalism: Fruit of repentance is to follow the Law.
Feel the spiritual Grace: Fruit of repentance is to Love others by being in His Love.
GOSPEL: Matthew 3:1-12
| Think Legalism: | Bear fruit worthy of literal repentance. |
| Feel Grace: | Bear fruit worthy of spiritual repentance. |
Straight grace living can't come out of crooked legalistic thinking!
Share your insights in the comments below
For further study see the follow on Advent II Meditation.
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