Eighth 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.
OLD TESTAMENT: Genesis 32:22-31
Literal Religion: Thinks Jacob is wrestling with an angel.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. The man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.”
Spiritual Grace: Knows it was Esau. The angel wrestled with Jacob to overcome his fear of Esau. The angel won.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. The man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.”
Did you feel the Grace?
Legalism glances at the problem. Grace gazes at Jesus!
PSALM: 17:1-7, 15
Literal Religion: Seeks physical protection to feel safe.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.”
Spiritual Grace: Seeks to feel spiritually safe to be protected.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
“Wondrously show your steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.”
Did you feel the Grace?
Legalism thinks you're handicapped. Grace thinks you are perfect!
EPISTLE: Romans 9:1-5
Literal Religion: Conscience is the same as our rational thinking.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“My conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit…”
Spiritual Grace: Our conscience is our spiritual understanding.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
“My conscience spiritually confirms it by the Holy Spirit…”
Did you feel the Grace?
A graceless life is a Godless life!
GOSPEL: Matthew 14:13-21
Literal Religion: When it cannot solve a problem rationally, it gets rid of it.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“We do not have enough to feed them, ‘bring them here to me.’”
Spiritual Grace: When it cannot solve a problem rationally, it gives it to Jesus.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
“We do not have enough to feed them, ‘bring them here to me.’”
Did you feel the Grace?
The old legalism can tear down the outside of you, but the new grace inside cannot be torn!
Share your insights in the comments below
For further study see the follow on Eighth Sunday after Pentecost Meditation.
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