VB184 Growing In Grace
Growing In Grace
[Lk 11:37-38]
Lk 11:37-41 (NASB) – [37] Now when He had spoken, a Pharisee asked Him to have lunch with him; and He went in and reclined at the table. [38] When the Pharisee saw this, he was surprised that Jesus had not first ceremonially washed before the meal.
A sure sign of legalism is confused priorities, as we see here with the Pharisees. It is not recorded in Scripture that the Pharisees marveled at the wonderful works of Jesus. They were too busy looking for something to accuse Him of (Mk 3:2).1 His host was amazed to see that he sat down to eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony required by Jewish custom.2 This reminds me of straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel (Mt 23:24).
Those who seek to earn righteousness through keeping the Law are consumed with doing, while those who have righteousness by faith are simply confessing what has already done. This is a simple and yet profound difference. If we are still doing the things of holiness to get God to move in our lives, then we are still operating under a Law mentality – that is not faith (Gal 3:12). When we simply believe and confess what has already been provided through Christ, that’s grace.
A person who is living under the Law, and a person who lives under grace usually have similar actions of holiness, but their motivations are completely opposite. The legalistic person has their attention on what they must do, while the person living by faith has his attention on what Christ has already done for him.
For instance, the Scriptures teach us to confess with our mouths and believe with our hearts, and we will receive from God. The legalist thinks, that means I can get God to heal me by confessing, ‘By his stripes I am healed.’ However, the person who understands God’s grace will not confess the Word to get healed. They will confess, ‘By His stripes I am healed’ because they understand it has already been taken care of at the Cross.
The simplest way to discern whether we are operating in true Bible faith, or a legalistic formula, is to consider our ‘mind set.’ If the motive for our actions is to be accepted by God, that’s legalism.
If we live by faith with thanksgiving for what God has already done, that’s grace.
Jn 1:17 (NASB) –For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
Declaration:
I am the redeemed of the Lord! I’m saved/healed by the work of Jesus, my Lord and Savior. I believe and confess Jesus is Lord. He paid for my sin and sickness at the same time, He died so I can live!
Let’s keep growing in grace!
God bless you my friend,
1Mk 3:2 (NKJV) –So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.
2Note – Washing Hands: They would pour a little water on the elbow, and let it run off the finger tips. Then raise the arm up and pour a little water onto the finger tips and let that run down and drip off of the elbow. That’s what religion will do!
