Sixth Sunday in Lent
Unlocking the Gospel Secrets of Spirituality
Discover what difference reading these scriptures while Thinking Legalism 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.
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.
Grace is not for people who need it. It is for people who want it.
OLD TESTAMENT: Isaiah 50:4-9a
Literal Religion: God helps us not to be disgraced by others.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“The Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced.”
Spiritual grace: Not being disgraced is feeling God’s grace no matter what others have done to us.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
“The Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced.”
Did you feel the Grace?
Legalism may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort!
PSALM: 31:9-16
Literal Religion: To have trust in God depends on what happens to us.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“I trust in you, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’”
Spiritual grace: Being in the Presence of His Love gives us the Wisdom always to Trust Him.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
“I trust in you, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’”
Did you feel the Grace?
Legalism is not an attitude. It is a personality you can't handle!
EPISTLE: Phillipians 2:5-11
Literal Religion: “The same mind” is to rationally know what the Bible says.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.”
Spiritual grace: “The same mind” is to feel the Presence of the Love of God that Jesus felt.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.”
Did you feel the Grace?
By the time you learn the rules of legalism, you're too old to play the game!
GOSPEL: Matthew 26:14-27:66
Literal Religion: “You will deny me three times." Means Peter betrayed Jesus in his denial.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“Jesus said to Peter, ‘Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’”
Spiritual grace: “You will deny me three times." This is a direct order to Peter that he should deny Him so he can live and spread the Word. The last thing in the world Jesus wanted is for all of the disciples not to escape and to die with him on Calvary.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
“Jesus said to Peter, ‘Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’”
Did you feel the Grace?
Legalism is made by lazy people looking for an easier way to do things!
Share your insights in the comments below
For further study see the follow on Sixth Sunday in Lent Meditation.
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