Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Sep 29, 2014 | Comments (0)


Eighteenth 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 32:1-14

Literal Religion: Turns aside from following God’s commandments.

Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.

“They have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them.”

Spiritual Grace: Turns aside from spiritually being in God’s Presence.

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

“They have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them.”

Did you feel the Grace?

“Legalism is the lowest form of wit" as said by those incapable of its proper application and as such suffer from it a lot!

PSALM: 106:1-6, 19-23

Literal Religion: Praises God for what He has done.

Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.

“Praise the LORD! O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.”

Spiritual Grace: Praises God by being in His Presence.

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

“Praise the LORD! O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.”

Did you feel the Grace?

Grace thinks all it feels, Legalism feels all it thinks!

EPISTLE: Philippians 4:1-9

Literal Religion: Rejoices in what the Lord has done.

Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.

“The Lord is near. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”

Spiritual Grace: Rejoices because they are in the Presence of Gods Joy.

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

“The Lord is near. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.”

Did you feel the Grace?

Ever notice that people who spend time in legalism are always complaining about being broke and not feeling well?

GOSPEL: Matthew 22:1-14

Literal Religion: The guest did not have the proper clothing to get into the wedding feast.

Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.

“Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?”

Spiritual Grace: The guest tried to get into God’s Presence not clothed spiritually.

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

“Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?”

Did you feel the Grace?

Grace can look so big when in church, and so small when you don’t take it with you into the world?

Share your insights in the comments below

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


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