Many of us were raised in a “works” religion. Meaning..If you don’t do this, if you don’t do that, if you do this, you never do that….you are a Christian. Then you can go about patting yourself on the back.. I don’t do that…I am better than you. I never have done that…I am truly religious. I can look down on you and put you down, because you do practice that “sin.”
Problem was, most of those things weren’t really sins. They were outward performances and appearances. And they certainly didn’t “save” us. There was a little baby born in a cave in Bethlehem many years ago. He lived and learned his earthly father’s trade and studied and assimilated His Heavenly Father’s word for 30 years. This Man then traveled and became a Teacher to 12 disciples. He declared that He was the Son of God and was the Messiah prophesied in the writings of the prophets. Some would not accept that He was the Messiah, because they were waiting for an earthly King, not a Man who taught about love and forgiveness and wandered with fisherman and hung out with tax collectors and “sinners.” He turned water into wine, taught love, and healed blind people and lepers and crippled. He even called the dead to life. But He wasn’t their expectation.
They created a counterfeit court and trial. He was tried and convicted. He was crucified, placed in a borrowed tomb. As we are now approaching this season, we observe the story didn’t end. Resurrection was His triumph. Why? …was this accomplished? ….To save us from our sin. The single requirement is to accept Him as God’s Son.
Did He come to condemn us? No. On more than one occasion His words were “neither do I condemn thee.”
After some observation, we learned about Grace. We do not have to work for our salvation. It was given to us on that Cross through His death and restoration to life. His three years of teaching gave us numerous examples of Grace. Thus, we now have works vs. grace.
Did His teaching of grace give us license to sin? No, but His training taught us growth.
Well, in his own words, ” the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I have come that they might have life and have it abundantly (wonderfully).” John 10:10
He was explaining that Satan (the thief, the liar) comes to us to steal and kill and destroy our abundant life. Lucifer (the snake, the serpent, the deceiver) tells us…if you participate and partake in certain pleasures…you will be happy, you will be overjoyed, you will be satisfied…these things will give you abundance. It’s okay to be selfish, it is okay to hate, it is okay to not forgive, it is okay to satisfy all your physical needs and wants, without caring about others. He is an impostor. His provocations only satisfy you for a short while. Then you need more…and more… and more.
When our Savior (giver of Grace) taught, “I do not condemn thee, I love you, you don’t have to work to receive my salvation”, he usually ended that conversation by stating “now, go and sin no more.” Why? Not to condemn, but His wisdom proclaims when we followed His gracious Instructions, our lives could be abundant and we could grow and mature in His commands. Our minds could be free, our bodies could be healthier, and our soul would be fulfilled, contented and quenched.
Linda's Notes 