Sometimes change is hard. Sometimes we have a hard time accepting new things. Jesus told a parable that speaks to us about the new…The New Covenant that is better than the old. Grace is more complete than the Law. We are a new creation in Christ. The old self has passed away. There will be a New Heaven and a New Earth. He will make all things new.
Continue reading “Out with the Old, In with the New”Tag: new creation
Grace and Legalism
These two words are talked about a lot these days: grace and legalism. Many churches are one extreme of the other. Many people are. Where do we draw the line between the two? The Bible is clear we are saved by grace and not by works. It is also clear that we are to obey God’s commands. We show that we love God by how we live. Our lives reflect our salvation and that Christ is in us. To me, that is the difference. Some people treat grace as a “get out of jail free” card. But if you really are saved and Christ is in you, would you not want to live for Him? On the other hand, salvation is not about rules and regulations, it is about the heart. Continue reading “Grace and Legalism”
Grace Abuse
Don’t be a slave to sin, but be free by grace
Previously we talked about God’s grace and the promise that through God’s grace we are saved by faith not by the things we do. It is what Christ did for us, taking our sins and paying for them by nailing them to the cross. So does that mean if we accept God’s grace and trust in Jesus that we could do whatever we want? I would say yes and no. Yes, we are free. But, we are free from sin and if you have truly accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior, you are changed. You are a new creation. Your old self has died and you now live for Him. Your desire should be aligned with God. You no longer want to do the sinful acts of your previous self. The Holy Spirit will live in you and will guide you. Now you can live by the Spirit and not by your flesh. If you do not see these changes, if your desires remain the same, you have to question the sincerity of your acceptance of God’s grace. You need to be reconciled to Him. It does not mean that you will never sin or your flesh will never creep in and tempt you. It will. There will be a battle. But remember that you are victorious because of the blood of Christ. Continue reading “Grace Abuse”
My Daily Scriptures 