Fourth Sunday in Epiphany
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
The Bottom line is the final result measuring our net gain or loss. A man fell off a fifty story building. Half way down he murmured, “so far so good.” His life depended on whether he fell into the safety net or not. Quietly moving into the Presence of God’s grace is our spiritual safety net. We all have these moments when we either fall in or out of the net. These meditations give us a chance to practice the shift from the literal religion to the spiritual grace.
Jesus took words with literal religious belief and gave them a spiritual grace meaning. Literal religious words are beliefs that are conditional, exclusive and for special groups. Spiritual grace words are experiences that are inclusive, unconditional and for all
For legalism, sins are the cause of separation from God. For grace, Sin is separation from God and the cause for all sins.
Religious literalism sees what is wrong. Grace sees what is right!
OLD TESTAMENT: Micah 6:1-8
Literal Religion: The Lord requires us to follow His Commandments.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Spiritual grace: The Lord enables us to follow His Commandments when we are in His Love.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture.
“What does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Can you feel the difference?
Because Religious Literalism cannot follow the Law, it fakes it. Grace faiths it!
PSALM: 15
Literal Religion: “Those who walk blamelessly,” are those who follow the all the Law literally.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“Those who walk blamelessly and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart.”
Spiritual grace: “Those who walk blamelessly” are those who are not separated from God but abide in Him.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture.
“Those who walk blamelessly and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart.”
Can you feel the difference?
Grace isn't in itself the answer, but it brings the answer!
EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Literal Religion: “The power and wisdom of God” is in Christ.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
Spiritual grace: “The Power and Wisdom of God” is in us through Christ.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture.
“Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
Can you feel the difference?
A Literal Christian Religion is a contradiction!
GOSPEL: Matthew 5:1-12
Literal Religion: Becoming poor in the spirit is a work that must be done to enter the kingdom of God.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, because they are in the kingdom of heaven.”
Spiritual grace: Becoming poor in the spirit is a fruit of being in the kingdom of God.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, because they are in the kingdom of heaven.”
Can you feel the difference?
Literalism follows the law to live for Christ. Grace lives for Christ to follow the Law!
Share your insights in the comments below
For further study see the follow on Epiphany IV Meditation.
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