Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Nov 10, 2014 | Comments (0)


Twenty-Fourth 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: Ezekial 34:11-16, 20-24

Literal Religion: God searches for us physically.

Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.

“For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will search for my sheep, and will seek them out.”

Spiritual Grace: God searches spiritually for us.

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

“For thus says the Lord GOD: I myself will search for my sheep, and will spiritually seek them out.”

Did you feel the Grace?

If at first you don't succeed, legalism is not for you!

PSALM: 100

Literal Religion: Can only worship God rationally.

Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come into his Presence with singing.”

Spiritual Grace: Worships God spiritually and then rationally.

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

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come into his spiritual Presence with singing.”

Did you feel the Grace?

Knowledge knows what legalism is. Wisdom is to know not to go there!

EPISTLE: Ephesians 1:15-23

Literal Religion: Faith is a matter of rational thought.

Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.

“I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints.”

Spiritual Grace: Faith is the experience of which our rational thought speaks.

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

“I have heard of your spiritual faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints.”

Did you feel the Grace?

If you follow the Law too well, you will get stuck with it!

GOSPEL: Matthew 25:31-46

Literal Religion: Remain in a life of darkness because they cannot rationally see who Jesus is.

Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.

“These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Spiritual Grace: Sees others as spiritual members of the family of Jesus.

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

“These who cannot rationally see the spiritual will remain in eternal punishment, but those we see spiritually will be in spiritual life.”

Did you feel the Grace?

Legalism spends time teaching the merits of grace to gentiles. When they join the church they spend the rest of their time being told to sit down and shut-up!

Share your insights in the comments below

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


Comments (0)







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


Copyright 2008-2011 Paul Edwards