Friends:
Yesterday, I had an intense conversation (a "holy argument" that made my wife a little concerned, as she observed) with another believer (an acquaintance) after a church service: a continuation of the pastor's examination of Grace and the Law. This brother was asserting that the measure of a believer's true walk with Christ was that he would have a greater and greater desire to follow the Law -- i.e., the Ten Commandments. I stated that "no, the measure of a Christ follower is by how much his life emulates the grace and truth of the Savior. We MUST ask for the Holy Spirit's empowerment to follow God from the heart, not merely aim for keeping His law. GOD IS NOT THE LAW, AND THE LAW IS NOT GOD."
Unfortunately, after my "discussion" with this brother, I learned from the pastor that the brother said he could no longer attend that church. Being somewhat of a newcomer to that fellowship, I apologized profusely to the pastor. To my surprise, the pastor smiled and warmly told me no apology was necessary. The pastor then informed me that his own attempts to break through the man's legalism were met with equal resistance, and he believed the man to be trying to clean out dust specks out of the eyes of others, while being visually impaired by his own log-ridden myopia. God's providence prevailed, he told me.
Lest I think that I have "won" or "arrived" (hardly!) in this familiar issue of Law vs. Grace, as of today I'll be studying -- taking a HARD look at -- the New Testament book of Romans with my Bride (and my children). First off, I'm telling you this for accountability's sake. Feel free to ask me how it's going.
Secondly, I think it'd be great if you would join me; that is, if you're not already into a book study, of course.
Let me know how it affects you...
Have a fruitful day.
--Ric
Yesterday, I had an intense conversation (a "holy argument" that made my wife a little concerned, as she observed) with another believer (an acquaintance) after a church service: a continuation of the pastor's examination of Grace and the Law. This brother was asserting that the measure of a believer's true walk with Christ was that he would have a greater and greater desire to follow the Law -- i.e., the Ten Commandments. I stated that "no, the measure of a Christ follower is by how much his life emulates the grace and truth of the Savior. We MUST ask for the Holy Spirit's empowerment to follow God from the heart, not merely aim for keeping His law. GOD IS NOT THE LAW, AND THE LAW IS NOT GOD."
Unfortunately, after my "discussion" with this brother, I learned from the pastor that the brother said he could no longer attend that church. Being somewhat of a newcomer to that fellowship, I apologized profusely to the pastor. To my surprise, the pastor smiled and warmly told me no apology was necessary. The pastor then informed me that his own attempts to break through the man's legalism were met with equal resistance, and he believed the man to be trying to clean out dust specks out of the eyes of others, while being visually impaired by his own log-ridden myopia. God's providence prevailed, he told me.
Lest I think that I have "won" or "arrived" (hardly!) in this familiar issue of Law vs. Grace, as of today I'll be studying -- taking a HARD look at -- the New Testament book of Romans with my Bride (and my children). First off, I'm telling you this for accountability's sake. Feel free to ask me how it's going.
Secondly, I think it'd be great if you would join me; that is, if you're not already into a book study, of course.
Let me know how it affects you...
Have a fruitful day.
--Ric
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