Radical Confessions of a Recovering Legalist

by Bob Gonzales

Religious "Legalism" with a capital "L" is heresy.

It's the belief that one's personal virtue and obedience to religious norms or standards merits God's favor and/or salvation. This "do-it-yourself" religion is antithetical to the gospel of Christ and the Bible's grace-based religion.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith," writes the Apostle Paul. He goes on to remark, "This is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." (Eph 2:8) When asked what deeds God requires of men as a condition for eternal life, Jesus surprised his audience with the reply, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." (John 6:29; see also John 3:16, 36; Acts 4:12; 16:30-31; Rom 10:9-13)

Hardcore Legalism

I used to think that I could earn God's favor and salvation on the basis of my inherent virtue and good works. Of course, I admitted I wasn't perfect. But I foolishly presumed that my good deeds would somehow outweigh my bad deeds.

In this respect, I thought and behaved much like the Pharisees, scribes, and Jewish people of Jesus' day who trusted in their own inherent virtue and religious performance to merit their acceptance before God (Matt 5:20; Luke 16:14-15; 18:9-12, 14; Rom 10:1-3).

Thankfully, God helped me realize that my sinfulness was heart-deep (Gen 6:5; Jer 17:9; Matt 15:19-20) and that the best of my moral or religious deeds were worthless for earning His favor (Isa 64:6; Rom 3:20; Phil 3:4-9). By His saving grace, I repented of my sin and self-righteousness, placing my confidence and hope in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

That's when "Bob the Legalist" died. continue reading:

http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/162987-confessions-of-a-recovering-legalist.html?p=1

Tailor-Made Grace

Nineteenth-century pastor and evangelist D. L. Moody summarized the idea of tailor-made grace well when he affirmed, "A man can no more take in a supply of grace for the future than he can eat enough today to last him for the next six months, nor can he inhale sufficient air into his lungs with one breath to sustain life for a week to come. We are permitted to draw upon God's store of grace from day to day as we need it." Draw upon the abundant grace of Christ for you today. It is sufficient for all your needs.

- Daniel Henderson
http://www.strategicrenewal.com/_blog/Weekly_E-Devotional/

Remember The Days of Old

"I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. " Psalm 143:5-6

This Psalm is attributed to David. He is in a state of despair because of his enemies and because of his own spiritual condition. In the Psalm, he writes, "For the enemy has persecuted my soul" (V. 3), "Do not hide your face from me" (V. 7), "Revive me, O Lord, for Your name's sake! For Your righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble" (V. 11).

In this state, David remembered the days of old when he was in fellowship with God and aware of His presence. For example, David surely remembers\ed slaying the giant. He remembered as he ran to him saying, "The battle is the Lord's. He remembered the victory God gave.

Today, there are those who are in the same condition spiritually. One person said, "I would give anything in the world to feel like I did right after I was saved." Some say that those good feelings lasted for weeks, some say months, some say years. They remember the days of old and know there is a quality of life they are not experiencing now.

What is the trouble? They have lost that close feeling with God. They have lost that victory over sin. However, these feelings are only symptoms of a greater problem which is their approach to living the Christian life. They have lived according to the flesh rather than in the power of the Holy Spirit. They The have been "doing their best for Jesus" just as someone encouraged them to do.

It is possible to say to such people that they can live again like they did in the days of old. They can move from self effort to divine sufficiency. They only need to begin living out their oneness with Christ.


-David Kuykendall Ministries. www.livingbygrace.org.

Call to Prayer for Revival

"What could happen if pastors across America united in leading their churches to seek revival ... at the same time? Join us in praying that 5,000 pastors would lead their congregations this fall to seek the Lord for a spiritual awakening in their midst.

"Just yesterday we had the opportunity to host a forum on revival at the Southern Baptist convention. A packed house of over 500 pastors and leaders gathered to learn about revival and spiritual awakening. Join us in praying that God would stir their hearts to cry out to Him for a spiritual awakening in their church and community."

http://www.onecry.com/

Breaking Free From an Emotional Funk

...For all of us, spiritual depression is rooted in a preoccupation with self.  This inward focus might be spurred by anger, rejection, grief, loss, or other hard experiences.  Depression sets in when we stop trusting God and start questioning His character, doubting His love, or suspecting His justice.  Despondency rules us when we fixate on ourselves, our difficulties, our circumstances, and our misfortunes.  The pathway to deliverance is to turn away from self and toward God and others.

 

We see this illustrated throughout the Bible.  In Psalm 73, the writer is focused on the prosperity of the wicked and the problems of the righteous.  These grievances consumed him to the point that his thoughts are treacherous to his faith and the faith of others.  Everything changed when he went into the sanctuary of God.  By focusing on the Lord, His presence, and His promises – everything became clear (see Psalm 16-28).

 

The prophet Jeremiah experienced a similar turnaround.  In Lamentations 3:14-20 he openly declared his misery, feelings of rejection, and overwhelming afflictions.  But in verse 21, he calls to mind the truth about God.  Suddenly, he bursts forth with praise to his God for the mercies that are new every morning, His great faithfulness, and His goodness toward those who wait for Him (vv. 22-26).

 

Like the biblical writers, we all need a "change of mind" – perhaps repentance – when we are depressed.  We need the grace to turn our thoughts away from our self-consumed focus and toward the reality and character of God... 

- Daniel Henderson, Strategic Renewal

http://www.strategicrenewal.com/strategic-renewal-e--devotional/breaking-free-from-an-emotional-funk-part-three/

Why Life Has No Answer Sheet

If Life was a test, God would have given us a text book with a clear question and answer sheet…

If Life was a journey, God would have given us a clear map with delegated longitude and latitude marking…

If Life was an endurance program God would have been us a free weight system with a healthy eating regime...

God's Good News is profoundly simple and simply profound. We need a childlike sincerity as we approach God in faith. "And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them…'Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven'" (Matt. 18:2; Mark 10:16; Matt. 19:14).

Missionary scholar, E. Stanley Jones observed, The Scriptures are not the [incarnate] revelation of God, this would be the Word become printers ink – The Scriptures are the inspired record of the Revelation, the Revelation seen in the face of Jesus, the Word become flesh." [1]

"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool" (Isaiah 1:18).

But because Life is a Person, God has given us this Life whose Name is Jesus-- God's Eternal Word made flesh, His Word who lived, died on the cross and was raised from the dead. We who are His people have been born again into Him, and abide in Him, even as He abides in us…

"At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you"(John 14:20).

- we are made safe from error because He is the Truth …
"'And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'…'Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed'"(John 8:32-36).

- we are kept from getting lost in confusion because He is our Way…

"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6)


- and we are protected from death because He is our very Life and Breath!

"'O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?' The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:55-57).

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory" (1Col. 3:1-4).

~~~~~~

[1] E. Stanley Jones, In Christ, Tuesday, Week 1


- L. Alford

Testimony of Pastor Dan Riley

Pastor Dan Riley Spoke at a recent ministry event. He shares about the revitalization God has been providing through Dan appropriating his death and resurrection with Christ! The testimony is online by video here: https://vimeo.com/41020227

A response from a GFI friend: "Good morning to the great folks at Grace Fellowship.  I listened to the testimony of the gentleman who spoke at the banquet last week, and was truly blessed.  It is so encouraging to see the evidence of our Lord's working in the lives of pastors.  We live in a day that the congregation of believers desperately need to hear the Lord speaking thru the shepherd.  God's spirit going forth with power and life, how that is needed in the organized church.  Thanks for sharing the testimony."