Twenty-Second 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: Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
Literal Religion: Chooses to serve the Lord rationally.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“Choose this day who you will serve. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Spiritual Grace: Chooses to serve the Lord spiritually.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
“Choose this day who you will serve. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Did you feel the Grace?
Following the Law is trying to obey the speed limit on a winding, two-lane road!
PSALM: 78:1-7
Literal Religion: Tells of the glorious deeds God has done physically.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“We will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.”
Spiritual Grace: Tells of the glorious deeds God has done spiritually.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
“We will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.”
Did you feel the Grace?
Read all the Law, seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of it!
EPISTLE: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Literal Religion: Life and death are physical.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“We who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them”
Spiritual Grace: Life and death are spiritual.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
“We who are alive spiritually, who are left, will be caught up in the Presence together with them”
Did you feel the Grace?
The gene pool of legalism could use a little chlorine!
GOSPEL: Matthew 25:1-13
Literal Religion: Thinks that their own righteousness entitled them to share in the oil.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’”
Spiritual Grace: Realizes that having oil is being in the Presence and all have their own capability to be in the Presence.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture again.
“‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’”
Did you feel the Grace?
Grace is like the weather, it pays no attention to criticism!
Share your insights in the comments below
For further study see the follow on Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost Meditation.
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