“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.?
Ephesians 2:8-9
Law. Rules. Trying to live according to them. Does funny thing to people eh.
Here in our city, we are heading into level 5 water restrictions, due to the dams being at 20% capacity…it’s not a good situation. People have made many changes to the way they do things, good changes- our family has tried too. One of the things not allowed is washing the car with a hose although using a bucket is permitted for now. Now our family is not big on washing the care regularly but our car, which is parked outside, has been getting ‘egged‘. Now if you know anything about ‘egging’ you’ll know that not only does it smell disgusting and look awful but it can damage the paintwork of the car thus devaluing it. So, after being egged again, John grabbed some warm soapy water in a bucket and cleaned it all off. What I don’t understand is some of the looks he got from the neighbours. Maybe they thought he was wasting water and looked down upon him for that. Who knows?
For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Galatians 2: 19-21
I noticed some things about myself in all this. I desire to be obedient…to live according to His ways. His love, His grace that He poured upon me compels me to obedience. Nevertheless, sometimes, somewhere, I start looking at my own obedience and then I look at others around me. It’s so easy to stand on the outside and look in…and question why someone else isn’t living according to the same rules. I know that when I do this, I’m no longer living in grace but my own performance is driving me. I can’t even be obedient without stumbling into sin. Oh what a wretched creature I am. Oh what a marvellous and gracious God is he!
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it? the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.
Romans 3: 20 – 25
Lord, help me to not look at others in any other way than how to serve them…help me to live according to Micah 6:8. I thank you for your grace…thank you that I have been crucified with Jesus and that He lives in me.
