Thursday, March 12, 2009
Is this the key?
"Is there then a conflict between God's laws and God's promises?" Galatians 3:21 That's another way of saying is there a conflict between God's laws and the gospel of Jesus? The answer is the same: absolutely not. The problem is that we think of both as contemporary and competing. The truth is that the law (as is so brilliantly explained in the rest of this chapter) was right for a particular point in the development of the people of God. Since Jesus came the law has been overwhelmed (gathered in) by the gospel. Our standing now is not based on law but on our personal relationship with God through Jesus (who is God in flesh and blood). I have a friend, let's call him J (not that one). J is wrestling with what he believes about Jesus. He was raised Jewish and accepting Jesus as the Messiah is a struggle for him. I'm wondering if this insight into the law and gospel would help him make the leap of faith into trusting that Jesus is the Messiah. What I mean is that in his heart J really operates on a gospel basis. He realizes that his heart yearns not for a list of rules and regulations about God (laws), but for a relationship with God. He is already operating spiritually on a gospel basis instead of a law basis. Now here is the key (I hope). The one who brought to the world the gospel is Jesus. There was no system of God thinking that included a personal relationship with God as the fulfillment of the heart's desire. Jesus released that into the world and it connected with the deepest needs of our human hearts. Now here's the deal. The only one who has the right to change the rules (change from a law based system to the relationship based life) would be God. Isn't the fact that what our hearts yearn for, Jesus brought to the world (and us) evidence enough that he is God? The one who brought to us this great good news about God loving us and wanting to be intimate with us (our Daddy) was God-in flesh and blood. That still requires a leap of faith to decide to claim Jesus as our Messiah. But it sure is a great nudge (if not push) toward the edge of making that leap. Are you out there, J?
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In reference to J, you make write a very interesting phrase...a law based system to a relationship based life and the only one who could change it is God. My problem is that I want to know I am on the right path...or at least near it! I seem to be hindered by not being able to measure or gauge myself in the relationship or process. I mean, I think building a relationship is a process of sorts. I am not suggesting using the 600+ rules and regulations as a guide, but how do we know we are doing what we're supposed to be doing?
ReplyDeleteFor example, let's say Michael is having a really rotten day by his standards...it is raining, I am late for work, forgot my lunch, have a flat tire on the way into the office, squabble with the boss, have another flat on the way home, etc. And some bright and cheery person asks me, "So, how was your day?". Do I measure it against my personal needs/wants checklist or wonder if, in God's eyes, maybe I had one of the the best days of my life? I am probably not making any sense.
I have learned that God wants a relationship with me. I need one with him. Like the best relationships I have with people, it has its ups and downs. But, the ones who stay, the ones who want to keep having the relationship, keep it going by communicating and sharing. I share and communicate w/ God about all kinds of stuff, like I'm talking to my best friend(because he is). My best friend doesn't base our relationship on whether or not I'm having a good day or not-He's just 'there' for me no matter what, and I think that's what God wants from us as well.
ReplyDeleteI think you know you are doing what you are supposed to be doing by having an ongoing dialog with God. It will show in your relationships you have with others and how they feel about you. Its an inner 'knowing'...
'J' is asking questions, and I think that is how you gauge if you are on the right path as well...
The fact that he is even questioning means to me that he knows that God is more about relationships and love than just about rules. He questions because he sees others who are having relationships with God, and he feels the need to be more like them and with them.
Peace From East Memphis-'W'