YOU ARE PROGRESSING FROM GRACE TO GRACE



PROGRESSING FROM GRACE TO GRACE
"Matt 15:2 "Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don't wash their hands before they eat!" NIV
     It is common in our religious places to see legalism in place of true worship and some of us just like Jesus Christ bear the scars of such cynical and hypercritical display by religious bigots even in our homes . The  actions of these religious folks was an absolute misplacement of priorities.
      Fault- finding often deprives us of the opportunities of appreciating the work of God's grace and the beauty in people's lives because we become overwhelmed with looking for an error to talk about  (Matthew12:10). Instead of seeking for better ways to strengthen their friendship with  Jesus, these Pharisees  were rather concerned about hygiene . Most marriage, business relationships would be stronger if we refuse to allow ourselves get preoccupied with our partner’s faults.
     There is an undeniable difference between those who seek to earn righteousness through self effort," and  those who receive righteousness by faith ; while the latter are simply declaring and proclaiming what has already been done by God through Jesus Christ, the former are consumed with never ending lists of "spiritual assignments”.
   Fault- finders are ever so busy seeking for approval  from God and man while those under grace through faith enjoy the peace that comes from the knowledge that we have been accepted and chosen by God (1peter1:2) . The old covenant  that Jesus Christ ( Rom.8:1-3) did away with requires carrying out acts of holiness to move God to grant us our desires  and it is not faith and God is not pleased by them  (Heb 11.6,Gal. 3:12).
        Though similar in behavior, the individual living by the grace of God is motivated by love for God while those living under the laws of Moses are driven by pride and self importance. Grace requires acknowledging with thanksgiving God’s provisions for us through Jesus Christ. Religious legalism focuses on what must be done by followers while the person living by faith has his attention on the finished work of Christ on the cross.
     The legalists believes he or she must confess certain scriptures and  give offerings and tithes in other to prosper while the person with understanding of grace says for instance ’Lord, in acknowledgment of your love and provisions for me according to your word which says’ the lord is my shepherd I shall not lack’ I hereby give my tithes and offerings because I believe”
 The legalist believes in a God who has to be appeased to do things. This is why religious folks are very manipulative and unreal in relationships. The believer in salvation by grace through faith believes in a God who has done all that needs done.  We should judge our reasoning everyday whether our actions are of faith in God’s word or they are of a legalistic counterfeit. When our motive is to impress God, that's legalism but if out of faith we are thankful for what God has already done, that's grace in action which leads to peace with God. May you continue to excel  as you acknowledge God's goodness towards you in Jesus name

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