Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Sep 15, 2014 | Comments (0)


Sixteenth 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.

Not sure how to apply these? Click here to read the introductory text for the new Bottom Line Meditations

OLD TESTAMENT: Exodus 17:1-7

Literal Religion: Sees the historical past.

Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.

“Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.”

Spiritual Grace: Sees both the historical past and the spiritual present. (I Corinthians 10:4 they drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.)

Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.

“Strike the rock, and water will come out of it, so that the people may drink.”

Did you feel the Grace?

Legalists opinions may have changed, but not the fact that they are right!

PSALM: 78:1-4, 12-16

Literal Religion: The physical satisfies their physical needs.

Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.

“He split rocks open in the wilderness, and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.”

Spiritual Grace: The spiritual solves their physical needs.

Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.

“He split rocks open in the wilderness, and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.”

Did you feel the Grace?

For every legalistic action, there is a corresponding over-reaction!

EPISTLE: Philippians 2:1-13

Literal Religion: Seeks rational agreement for unity.

Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.

“be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”

Spiritual Grace: Seeks spiritual unity for agreement.

Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.

“be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”

Did you feel the Grace?

Some sins are too much fun to only do once!

GOSPEL: Matthew 21:23-32

Literal Religion: What people do determines their entrance into the Kingdom.

Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.

“I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.”

Spiritual Grace: Who people are spiritually determines their entrance into the Presence.

Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.

“I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.”

Did you feel the Grace?

Grace never killed anyone, but why take the chance?

Share your insights in the comments below

For further study see the follow on Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost Meditation.


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