Not by human effort

It is not by human effort.  Salvation.  Made right with God.  Living to follow Christ.  All this is by faith.    Not by my works.  

I like this because everyone is able.  If it is not from my effort, it is not my ability.  Some have learned structure and discipline.  These are good things.  But, any that were not raised with this can still be right with God.  Some with less ability are still able to be made right with God.  It is more like giving up, surrendering and trusting what God has provided.  

I like this because there cannot be a list.  When there is a list of things I do to be right with God, it becomes about me.  It is not my performance.  I cannot brag about what I have done.  When someone comes up with a list of what I do to get grace or what I do to see God work in my life they are wrong.  

The person who misses out is the one who feels they are good enough.  Some who might compare them selves with others and feel if God grades on a curve might think they are ok with God.  

But didn't God give a list?  A list of commandments?  Like about 10?  To Moses? Why did God give a list?  To show us that we do things that are wrong.  We all sin.  The list that God gave us is to show us that we have missed the mark.  We all fall short of God's standards.  See verses below.

Thankful for the freedom we have in Christ.  We come to Christ by faith.  We live a life following Christ by faith.

Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins.  Galatians 3:19

3How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? 4Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?

5I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.  Galatians 3:3-5

Free from old rules

Sent home from church? I some how missed the new rules on dress code for any who would stand up on the platform. So I drove home in my 1960 Ford Falcon to put on a coat and tie, then back to church, to be allowed to play my trumpet for special music.

The year was about 1980 and the pastor was a new seminary grad.  He was trying hard, but making a bunch of rookie mistakes.  I am sure he has changed by now. 

I am thankful for many changes in current churches. I showed a video from Steve Fee last Sunday.  He broke a bunch of the old rules.  His hair was too long, drums on the stage, forgot his coat and tie.  But there is a new emphasis on leading people into the presence of God. We need that.

Some of this is just a better fit for our culture.  But, some of this is better fitting to the teachings of the Bible.

Back in the first century, some religious people were putting rules in place.  They taught that salvation even depended on keeping their rules.  Paul makes a stand to keep the gospel straight.  He said; "They wanted to enslave us and force us to follow their Jewish regulations." Galatians 2:4

The Bible is not about a bunch of rules. Following Christ is not just keeping a code of laws. Those who teach a list of rules as a means of Grace are false teachers.  

Living by faith in God is the answer.  It was the answer before and after Christ dying on the cross.  So thankful for the freedom that we have in Christ.  So, I am working on memorizing these verses.  And planning to let Christ way show through in how I live today.  Not rules but living for Christ in everything I do. 

For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law--I stopped trying to meet all its requirements--so that I might live for God. My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in the is earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:19-20.