Third 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 22:1-14
Literal Religion: Sees God providing the lamb Himself.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“God will provide the lamb Himself.”
Spiritual Grace: Sees God providing Himself as Jesus the Lamb of God.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
“God will provide the lamb Himself.”
Did you feel the Grace?
Legalism’s Motto: Back off! You're standing in my aura!
PSALM: 13
Literal Religion: God hides from us physically.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?”
Spiritual Grace: God hides from us spiritually.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
“How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?”
Did you feel the Grace?
Sarcasm is just one of the service’s legalism offers!
EPISTLE: Romans 6:12-23
Literal Religion: Sins are immoral passions that can dominate us.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”
Spiritual Grace: Sins are symptoms of Sin, the separation from God which can dominate us.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”
Did you feel the Grace?
Legalism’s Motto: Better living through denial!
GOSPEL: Matthew 10:40-42
Literal Religion: Reward is physical.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward.”
Spiritual Grace: Reward is spiritual.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
“Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward.”
Did you feel the Grace?
The burden of legalism: It's not easy being right all the time!
Share your insights in the comments below
For further study see the follow on Third Sunday after Pentecost Meditation.
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