Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Oct 20, 2014 | Comments (0)


Twenty-First 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: Joshua 3:7-17

Literal Religion: The Lord exalts physically.

Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.

“The LORD said to Joshua, ‘This day I will begin to exalt you spiritually in the sight of all Israel’”

Spiritual Grace:The Lord exalts spiritually.

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

“The LORD said to Joshua, ‘This day I will begin to exalt you spiritually in the sight of all Israel’”

Did you feel the Grace?

Legalism does not have a solution, but it does admire the problem!

PSALM: 107:1-7, 33-37

Literal Religion: Physical trouble is caused by spiritual trouble.

Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.

“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, those he redeemed from trouble.”

Spiritual Grace: The Spiritual Presence is the solution to physical troubles.

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

“Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, those he redeemed from trouble.”

Did you feel the Grace?

Grace gives us the freedom to trust and to verify!

EPISTLE: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13

Literal Religion: Treats others’ issues physically.

Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.

“We dealt with each one of you like a father with his children.”

Spiritual Grace: Treats others’ issues spiritually.

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

“We dealt with each one of you spiritually like a father with his children.”

Did you feel the Grace?

Legalism is simple. It is easy to understand wrong answers!

GOSPEL: Matthew 23:1-12

Literal Religion: Rational teaching does not know how to abide in Jesus.

Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.

“But do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach.”

Spiritual Grace: Spiritual teaching knows how to help others abide in Jesus.

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

“But do not do as they do, for they cannot do what they spiritually teach.”

Did you feel the Grace?

The more vital grace is, the less people will seek it!

Share your insights in the comments below

For further study see the follow on Twenty-First Sunday after Pentecost Meditation.


Comments (0)







Allowed tags: <b><i><br>Add a new comment:


Copyright 2008-2011 Paul Edwards