First Sunday in Lent
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 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.
Legalism thinks all truth is literal. Grace knows the difference between literal and spiritual truth.
Legalism only goes with those who agree with them. Grace goes everywhere.
OLD TESTAMENT: Genesis 2:15-17
Literal Religion: To “die” is physical.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
The serpent said to the woman, “You will not die.”
Spiritual grace: To “die” is spiritual death. (They both died spiritually not physically).
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture.
The serpent said to the woman, "You will not die.”
Can you feel the difference?
Legalism is a five mile walk punctuated with disappointments!
PSALM: 32
Literal Religion: “Sin” is an immoral physical act.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”
Spiritual grace: Sin is separation from God. Its symptoms are sins.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture.
“Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”
Can you feel the difference?
Legalism sounds easy, it's just hard to do!
EPISTLE: Romans 5:12-19
Literal Religion: “Death” is physical caused by immoral sins.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned.”
Spiritual grace: “Death” is spiritual separation from God caused by being out of His Presence.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture.
“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned.”
Can you feel the difference?
Legalism is like Golf. You strive for the green, but end up in the hole!
GOSPEL: Matthew 4:1-11
Literal Religion: Jesus was tempted by the devil to test and strengthen the Spirit in Him.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”
Spiritual grace: Jesus was tempted by the devil to show the apostles how to overcome the devil’s temptation by being led in the Spirit.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture.
“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”
Can you feel the difference?
Legalism is like a Special Olympic sport because everyone who enters has a handicap.
Share your insights in the comments below
For further study see the follow on First Sunday in Lent Meditation.
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