Under Grace - PART 216

ONE LORD - ONE FAITH - ONE BAPTISM

Religion often associates faith with the keeping of days, months, times, and seasons, whereas conversely, the faith that was once delivered to believers being called of God opposes these types of traditions.

For example, Paul in his writing to the believers located at Galatia makes this presentation. Because you keep the days, months, times, and seasons, I am afraid for you. Indeed, I fear that my labour among you may has had no effect. He then asks the question, "Who is bewitching you? Have you suffered so many things, that you now embrace religious ceremonies as an addition to the grace of God?"

Why is this so important? Well, first of all, believers are not under the law. In fact, believers are under grace. And if grace requires a flurry of good works, then grace is no longer grace.

This is why when JESUS said on the cross that His work was finished, it meant that the redemptive work of salvation was fully accomplished. JESUS was buried and arose from the dead the third day and as a consequence, JESUS ascended into Heaven and sat down.

So the next question then might be - why was there a law given? The answer is simple. The law was added because of transgression. Similarly, the law served only until the SEED which is Christ the Messiah should appear. JESUS, being the Seed of the Holy Spirit appearing became man's only Saviour!

Therefore those who propagate law are primarily of the circumcision of the flesh, introduced by Moses after the promise given to Him of God. In him (Abraham) and in the promised SEED (the seed is the seed of the Holy Spirit) was contained a new blood line. In this SEED will all believing nations be blessed. That was the promise.

There were no strings attached or addendums added of God to this promise. So Abraham messed up again, as he previously had done with Isaac. Abraham now circumcises the flesh of all his household, and in so doing (in ignorance) added an addendum to the promise. But really at the end of the day what was needed was the circumcision of one's heart.

This is why we worship God in spirit and in truth. For God seeks persons to worship Him, not in the letter of the law but in newness of Spirit.

If salvation were of the law then there would have been no necessity for JESUS the Messiah to appear. However, JESUS did appear in fashion as a man indicating that salvation is not to be found in Law. But salvation is by and through the sacrifice of the Lord own sinless, yet prone to sin body -- the innocent Lamb of God.

So what do we need to do? Well, first stop and realize that the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink in the traditional sense, nor is it about keeping the days, months, times or seasons. JESUS paid the price in full and as a consequence, let FAITH arise in your heart. There is no more sacrifice or offering to be had. Why? Because the same God that created us laid upon His own body the iniquity of us all. Therefore, what God has cleansed by the sacrifice of Himself requires no additions. No flurry of extra good works that might insinuate that God's sacrifice was less than sufficient.

The message today then is to come out from among the religionists - the traditionalists - and other "ists" that try to add to the gospel message of Jesus. Instead, believe in God. Cast yourself onto His love, care and affection for surely, the life of God is the life of JESUS! PEACE.