Transfiguration Sunday
Unlocking the Gospel Secrets of Spirituality
Discover what difference reading these scriptures while Thinking Leaglism or Feeling Grace can make.
The Grace Language of Jesus
SPIRITUALITY CAN CHANGE OUR LIFE
Jesus took words with literal religious belief and gave them a spiritual grace meaning. Literal religious words are beliefs that are conditional, exclusive and for special groups. Spiritual grace words are experiences that are inclusive, unconditional and for all.
Religious literalists know the answer before asking the question. Grace knows the Presence in order to find the answer to the question.
The question to ask is: How much does it cost to be legalistic?" The Answer is: "I don't know, I'm still paying."
For legalism, sins are the cause of separation from God. For grace, Sin is separation from God and the cause for all sins.
Legalism thinks all truth is literal. Grace knows the difference between literal and spiritual truth!
OLD TESTAMENT: Exodus 24:12-18
Literal Religion: The cloud is like any other cloud in the sky.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain.”
Spiritual grace: The Cloud is directly related to not being able to see the Presence of God in both the Old and New Testament.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture.
“Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain.”
Can you feel the difference?
What are the four worst words a religious literalist could hear: There are really Twenty!
PSALM: 99
Literal Religion: God is in the cloud.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud.”
Spiritual grace: God IS The Cloud.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture.
“He spoke to them in the pillar of cloud.”
Can you feel the difference?
His religious literalism is improving. He's missing the mark much closer than he used to!
EPISTLE: 2 Peter 1:16-21
Literal Religion: Heaven is a place where God is.
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven.”
Spiritual grace: Heaven is the Presence of God in us.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture.
“We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven.”
Can you feel the difference?
There are three ways to improve your biblical literalism: read the Laws, take lessons, practice constantly -- or start cheating!
GOSPEL: Matthew 17:1-9
Literal Religion: Centers on the cloud covering the apostles
Read this scripture literally for its religious meaning.
“Suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice.”
Spiritual grace: Centers on the voice that is heard.
Now quietly move into God's Presence and read this scripture.
“Suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice.”
Can you feel the difference?
In religious literalism you go out with three friends, read the Bible together and return with three enemies.
Share your insights in the comments below
For further study see the follow on Transfiguration Meditation.
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