Second Sunday After Pentecost Bottom Line Meditations
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.
Worldly legalism can only think literally. Godly Grace knows the spiritual difference.
Legalism chooses the laws they like. Grace knows only one law, “Love one another as I have loved you.”
Grace is so shy, that if you begin talking about it literally, it disappears spiritually.
OLD TESTAMENT: Genesis 21:8-21
Literal Religion : Sees Isaac as the son of Abraham.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“But God said to Abraham, "Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be named for you.”
Spiritual Grace: Sees Isaac as the second son of Abraham, but the “begotten” or designated by God son of Abraham as Jesus was “begotten not made”.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
“But God said to Abraham, "Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of your slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be named for you.”
Did you feel the Grace?
Living in grace and staying out of legalism is a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired, you quit when the gorilla is tired!
PSALM: 86:1-10,16-17
Literal Religion: Life is physical.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God.”
Spiritual Grace: Life is spiritual.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
“Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God.”
Did you feel the Grace?
An outstanding legalist cannot be the equal of an average graceful person!
EPISTLE: Romans 6:1b-11
Literal Religion: Sin is an immoral act.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“How can we who died to sin go on living in it?”
Spiritual Grace: Sin is separation from the life in Christ.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
“How can we who died to sin go on living in it?”
Did you feel the Grace?
Legalistic arguments may win battles, but spiritual grace wins wars!
GOSPEL: Matthew 10:24-39
Literal Religion: Peace is physically on earth.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Spiritual Grace: Does not expect Peace to come physically until it becomes spiritual.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Did you feel the Grace?
Legalism says, “You are wrong and I am right!” Grace replies, “It may be right for you, but it is not for me!”
Share your insights in the comments below
For further study see the follow on Second Sunday after Pentecost Meditation.
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