[Discoveries] 05-31-08 Look inside -- Galatians 3:2-3

[Inspiration in Your Inbox]

/*This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive 
the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so 
foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the 
flesh? -- Galatians 3:2-3 NASB*/

/*Let me put this question to you: How did your new life begin? Was it 
by working your heads off to please God? Or was it by responding to 
God's Message to you? Are you going to continue this craziness? For only 
crazy people would think they could complete by their own efforts what 
was begun by God. If you weren't smart enough or strong enough to begin 
it, how do you suppose you could perfect it? Galatians 3:2-3 The Message*/

The average Joe walking down the street has no clue that there is a huge 
difference between the gospel and religion. Here in these verses are the 
main components.

Religion: the law plus the flesh. Doomed to failure. Constant striving. 
Never achieving. Crazy!

The gospel: the Spirit plus faith. We hear the good news and we open the 
door. God comes and lives inside us. He lives through us.

Guess what? Does God need a set of rules in order for Him to figure out 
what to do? Stop and think about it. Rules are righteous if and only if 
they reflect God's heart. If God's heart is alive in you, don't you have 
something better than rules?

Remember Golding's book, /The Lord of the Flies/? Remember at the 
beginning the stranded boys said they would have rules, lots of them, 
and if anybody stepped out of line, watch out! They started with rules 
and ended in flames.

Is God tired? After forgiving our sins and assuring us a place in 
heaven, did He run out of energy? Is it all up to us now? Did the Spirit 
of God fall asleep after He entered our hearts?

The word "gospel" means "good message" or "good news." Let me suggest to 
you that there is lots and lots of good news. Yes, God forgives us 
through the atoning sacrifice of Christ and that is good news. But there 
is more, much more. God is alive and well in you. When you handed your 
life over to Christ, He handed His life over to you. What sin, what 
trial, what problem can possibly overcome the eternal life of Christ in 
us? If you are looking for success, look inside. He's already there.

Be encouraged!
Dwight

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