JUST THE WAY I AM

I've mentioned a few times that I am a recovering legalist. Many times it takes just one "drink," and my walk in Liberty wavers. Especially after a few bad days. Legalism makes you feel distant to the Lord whenever your "performance" doesn't seem to you (or to others) to have "cut it." Words, like "struggle," "standards," "hard heart," "stiff necked" and "backslider," ring mercilessly in your head. Shame becomes your heavy robe. Legalism makes you "feel" you need to work back into His graces some how (as if that's what got you there in the first place)!

We start believing, legalistically, that WE have to maintain and stay in the love of God, stay in His good graces. . . rather than the truth . . . He maintains us and keeps us. The mindset of the law is probation. The mindset of grace is complete unconditional pardon! The Lord's Salvation has nothing to do with our performance. He already "performed" on our behalf. Now it's by faith in His performance that we stand in God's Grace.

The battle some times is just in staying convinced and knowing His heart and grace when you feel faithless. The battle is His, however, and when He breaks through . . . WOW! The depth of the Savior's heart and love is AMAZING! It takes all the weight of shame and standard and conditions off and your exalted response is "I am Yours forever!" He has won my heart by His great mercy. And it's that same great Mercy that keeps me convinced and relieved. It makes me want to be like Him. . . rather than have to be like Him.

About 3 a.m. this morning, I was calling out to the Shepherd of the Hills. Some times the only word left you can say is just, "HELP!" He knows that code word for a crisis moment. . . of unbelief, troubled times, and the prison of legalism. Then I went back to bed. I want to share this because I know that I'm not the only one in Christiandom who is in this battle to stay convinced of the Good News of the Gospel.

A little while later, after falling back to sleep, the Lord of Love and Life, "Great Heart," straightened out my helmet of the hope of salvation by singing this Billy Joel song to me . . . .

JUST THE WAY YOU ARE ~~

Don't go changing, to try and please Me,
You never let me down before,
Don't imagine, you're too familiar,
And I don't see you anymore.


I would not leave you, in times of trouble,
We never could have come this far,
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times,
I'll take you just the way you are.

Don't go trying, some new fashion,
Don't change the colour of your hair,
You always have my, unspoken passion,
Although I might not seem to care.


I need to know that you will always be
The same old someone that I knew,
What will it take till you believe in Me,
The way that I believe in you?

I said I love you, and that's forever,
And this I promise from the heart,
I couldn't love you, any better,
I love you just the way you are.

I don't want clever, conversation,
I never want to work that hard,
I just want someone, that I can talk to,
I want you just the way you are.


Ahhhhh, back to the Relief of God and resting in His acceptance . . . not based on performance . . .not conditional. . . .no strings are attached . . . there is no "small print" to surprise me. . . just the Gift of Salvation purchased by The Lord of Love, Jesus Christ.

You might want to grab a kleenex, enjoy the video and take hold of this Word for yourself. . . that the Lord Loves you just the way you are! He just wants someone that He can talk to. He'll never leave you even in times of trouble. He takes the good times with the bad. You don't need to "try" or "change." You'll always have His undying passion. His love is forever, that's a promise from His heart. And He can't love you any better than He loves you right now!


May our response be the same as the great hymn by Charles Elliot (1841), "Just as I Am, Without One Plea" . . . .

Just as I am,
Without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me,
And that thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee, Whose Blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt;
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
Sight, riches, healing of the mind,
Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive;
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve,
Because Thy promise I believe!
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Has broken every barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am,
Of that free love
The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above:
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.


I'm here, Lord! Fully-accepted, fully-convinced, and fully-kept! Amen!

Blessed Holy Spirit

I love the Third Person of the Holy Trinity . . .the Blessed Spirit of God. He always points me to Jesus. He fills me with His fruit. He teaches me. He guides and directs me. He loves me. He communicates and influences me. He is my Helper and Comforter. He opens my eyes and heart to hear and know the Truth. He gives me discernment. He convicts me lovingly if I sin. He speaks to me and communicates the Father's mercy and comforts me. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that I stay faithful to God.

He is a Gift from God to me. He is the Promise of the Father, paid for by the Blood Atonement of the Son. Jesus said in John 16:7, "However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you]."

Verse 13 & 14, "But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future].
He will honor and glorify Me, because He will take of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine and will reveal (declare, disclose, transmit) it to you."

He is the Promise of the Father (Acts 1:4) and Jesus Himself had to leave and go back to the Father in order for the Holy Spirit to come. It is because of Jesus alone and His perfection and Atoning Sacrifice on the Cross that we can be born again and filled with the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, Moses had to instruct the children of Israel NOT to touch the mountain upon which the Spirit of God was resting. They would die if they did. Why? Because He is Holy and we are not. But now, because of the Blood of Christ we are made holy receivers of a Gift of this same Spirit of God . . . not only to recreate a new heart, imparting the Divine Nature within us, but also to become a Temple for His Spirit to rest within us. And we do not die!! His Spirit can rest within us without killing us because Jesus makes us Holy with His Blood. That is how wonderful the Blood and Life of Jesus is!

And then, on top of all this wonderful Good News, Jesus BAPTIZES us with the Holy Spirit. "For John baptized with water, but not many days from now you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit." ~~ Acts 1:5 He recreates and gives us a New Heart within by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit (the anointing within) and then, Jesus baptizes us with the Holy (Fire) Spirit of God (which is the anointing upon). The anointing within is for our personal walk with God . . .and our relationship with others. We watch His fruit (joy, peace, love, faith, etc) growing within and being produced by the Holy Spirit. The anointing upon is for laboring in the harvestfield of this world, proclaiming His glorious Gospel (And God confirms this Gospel with miracles, signs, and wonders. He gives us boldness . . . and powerclothes); and for the building up of the Body of Christ (for the edification, exhortation and comfort of His saints). Both "anointings" are a GIFT from His majesty, King Jesus and our Father in Heaven.

I cringe whenever I hear a cheap interpretation of something so Holy and wonderful and so FREE! It is a great sin to the Blood of Christ to think that we can earn or qualify in any way to receive either one of these anointings. Jesus paid the price so that the Father could send the Promised Comforter to us. So He could indwell us and make us holy Temples.

"You realize, don't you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you? . . . . God's temple is sacred—and you, remember, are the temple." ~~ 1 Corinthians 3:16

How can you receive the Holy Spirit in your life? Only one way. . .ASK! and believe that it is the delight of the Father to give you the Kingdom. Jesus said in Luke 9:11-13,“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."
“You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.”

We are incredibly proud and selfish people if we even begin to believe that we receive the Holy Spirit on any merits of our own. Jesus has fully qualified us to receive . . . Hebrews 1 says about the Son of God, Jesus Christ:

1) In many separate revelations [each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets,
2) But in the last of these days, He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order].
3) He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the Divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] Nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on High,
4) Taking a place and rank by which He Himself became as much superior to angels as the glorious Name (title) which He has inherited is different from and more excellent than theirs.
5) For to which of the angels did [God] ever say, You are My Son, today I have begotten You [established You in an official Sonship relation, with kingly dignity]? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He will be to Me a Son? [II Sam. 7:14; Ps. 2:7.]
6) Moreover, when He brings the firstborn Son again into the habitable world, He says, Let all the angels of God worship Him.
7) Referring to the angels He says, [God] Who makes His angels winds and His ministering servants flames of fire;
8) But as to the Son, He says to Him, Your throne, O God, is forever and ever (to the ages of the ages), and the scepter of Your Kingdom is a scepter of absolute righteousness (of justice and straightforwardness).
9)You have loved righteousness [You have delighted in integrity, virtue, and uprightness in purpose, thought, and action] and You have hated lawlessness (injustice and iniquity). Therefore God, [even] Your God (Godhead), has anointed You with the oil of exultant joy and gladness above and beyond Your companions."

God is speaking to His Son in Hebrews 1:9 -- because of Jesus' uprightness, because HE hated lawlessness, God has anointed HIM. And those who rest in Him, receive the same inheritance {freely} for that which he wrought.

John 7:38-39 Jesus says, "Anyone who believes in Me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” 39) (When He said “living water,” He was speaking of the Spirit, Who would be given to everyone believing in Him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)"

The Holy Spirit is a Gift and Promise from the Father and released by the glorification of Jesus. Anyone who believes in Jesus and asks may receive the Blessed Holy Spirit . . . both within and upon. Anyone can be a living Temple of the Holy Spirit, have the Divine Nature and Living Water flowing out as well as be an instrument in the Hands of the Redeemer for His glory. Amen.

Give Me Jesus

"Religion will put a new suit on your back
But a relationship with Him will put a new man in that suit" ~~ Jeremy Camp

The Holy Spirit reminds me daily, as I recover from legalism, to look at Jesus! And I am reminded what A.W. Tozer said . . . "that looking IS believing." And in the age-old battle of sin-consciousness vs God-consciousness, Tozer has hit the nail right on the head. This is very helpful to me and would be to anyone who would like some freedom from their religion. . . . Here is some of the best of Tozer:

"In the New Testament an important bit of history is interpreted for us by no less an authority than our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He is explaining to His hearers how they may be saved. HE TELLS THEM THAT IT IS BY BELIEVING. Then to make it clear, He refers to this incident in the Book of Numbers. "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:14, 15). . . .one would notice that "look" and "believe" were synonymous terms. "Looking" on the Old Testament serpent is identical with "believing" on the New Testament Christ. That is, the looking and the believing are the same thing. And he would understand that while Israel looked with their external eyes, believing is done with the heart. I think he would conclude that faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God. BELIEVING, THEN, IS DIRECTING THE HEART'S ATTENTION TO JESUS. It is lifting the mind to "behold the Lamb of God," and never ceasing that beholding for the rest of our lives.

At first this may be difficult, but it becomes easier as we look steadily at His wondrous Person, quietly and without strain. Distractions (especially religion) may hinder, but after each brief excursion away from Him the attention will return again and rest upon Him like a wandering bird coming back to its window.

~~~Like the eye which sees everything in front of it and never sees itself, faith is occupied with the Object upon which it rests and pays no attention to itself at all. While we are looking at God we do not see ourselves---blessed riddance! The man who has struggled to purify himself and has had nothing but repeated failures will experience REAL RELIEF when he stops tinkering with his soul and looks away to the perfect One. While he looks at Christ the very things he has so long been trying to do will be getting done within him. It will be God working in him to will and to do. ~~

Faith is a redirecting of our sight, a getting out of the focus of our own vision and getting God into focus. Sin has twisted our vision inward and made it self-regarding. Unbelief has put self where God should be . . .Faith looks out instead of in and the whole life falls into line.

Since believing is looking, it can be done without special equipment or religious paraphernalia. God has seen to it that the one life-and death essential can never be subject to the caprice of accident. Equipment can break down or get lost, water can leak away, records can be destroyed by fire, the minister can be delayed or the church burn down. All these are external to the soul and are subject to accident or mechanical failure: but looking is of the heart and can be done successfully by any man, woman or child standing up or kneeling down or lying in his last agony a thousand miles from any church.

~~Since believing is looking it can be done any time! No season is superior to another season for this sweetest of all acts. God never made salvation depend upon new moons nor holy days or sabbaths. A man is not nearer to Christ on Easter Sunday than he is, say, on Saturday, August 3, or Monday, October 4. As long as Christ sits on the mediatorial throne every day is a good day and all days are days of salvation.

Neither does place matter in this blessed work of believing God. Lift your heart and let it rest upon Jesus and you are INSTANTLY IN A SANCTUARY though it be at home or at work or on vacation. You can see God from anywhere if your mind is set to love and obey Him.

Ransomed people need no longer pause in fear to enter the Holy of Holies. God wills that we should push on into His Presence and live our whole life there. This is to be known to us in conscious experience. It is more than a doctrine to be held, it is a life to be enjoyed every moment of every day.Wherever we turn in the church of God, there is Jesus. He is the beginning, middle and end of everything to us .... There is nothing good, nothing holy, nothing beautiful, nothing joyous which He is not to all His servants. No one need be poor, because, if he chooses, he can have Jesus for his own property and possession. No one need be downcast, for Jesus is the joy of heaven, and it is His joy to enter into sorrowful hearts. We can exaggerate about many things; but we can never exaggerate our obligation to Jesus, or the compassionate abundance of the love of Jesus to us.

All our lives long we might talk of Jesus, and yet we should never come to an end of the sweet things that might be said of Him. Eternity will not be long enough to learn all He is, or to praise Him for all He has done, but then, that matters not; for we shall be always with Him, and we desire nothing more.

Between the scribe who has read and the prophet who has seen there is a difference as wide as the sea. We are today overrun with orthodox scribes, but the prophets, where are they? The hard voice of the scribe sounds over evangelicalism, but the Church waits for the tender voice of the saint who has penetrated the veil and has gazed with inward eye upon the Wonder that is God. And yet, thus to penetrate, to push in sensitive living experience into the holy Presence, is a privilege open to every child of God."

"They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed" (Psa. 34:5).

"I lift my eyes to you,O God, enthroned in heaven.We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master, as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal." (Psalm 123:1-2)

Believing, then, is directing the heart's attention to Jesus.. . .looking at Him. It is lifting the mind to "behold the Lamb of God," and never ceasing that beholding for the rest of our lives.

My Chains Are Gone!

"Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)"

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine


Romans 5:9 in the Amplified Bible says, "Therefore, since we are now justified (ACQUITTED, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ's Blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God."


The Wikipedia Encyclopedia states: "In criminal law, an ACQUITTAL is a verdict of not guilty, or some similar end of the proceeding that terminates it with prejudice without a verdict of guilty being entered against the accused."Christians, therefore, are fully pardoned. They have not only escaped penalty, but have been declared "Not Guilty!" Also according to the Wikipedia: In the common law tradition, an acquittal formally certifies the innocence of the accused, as far as the criminal law is concerned. This is so even where the prosecution is abandoned nolle prosequi. Under the rules of double jeopardy and autrefois acquit, an acquittal operates to bar the retrial of the accused for the same offense, even if new evidence surfaces that further implicates the accused."


What does all this mean? It means Grace is greater than all our sin! Romans 5:15-20 (Amp) explains more: 15) But God's free gift is not at all to be compared to the trespass [His grace is out of all proportion to the fall of man]. For if many died through one man's falling away (his lapse, his offense), much more profusely did God's grace and the free gift [that comes] through the undeserved favor of the one Man Jesus Christ abound and overflow to and for [the benefit of] many.

16) Nor is the free gift at all to be compared to the effect of that one [man's] sin. For the sentence [following the trespass] of one [man] brought condemnation, whereas the free gift [following] many transgressions brings justification (an act of righteousness).

17) For if because of one man's trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God's] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

18) Well then, as one man's trespass [one man's false step and falling away led] to condemnation for all men, so one Man's act of righteousness [leads] to acquittal and right standing with God and life for all men.

19) For just as by one man's disobedience (failing to hear, heedlessness, and carelessness) the many were constituted sinners, so by one Man's obedience the many will be constituted righteous (made acceptable to God, brought into right standing with Him).

20) But then Law came in, [only] to expand and increase the trespass [making it more apparent and exciting opposition]. But where sin increased and abounded, grace (God's unmerited favor) has surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded!"SUPERABOUNDED! Grace superabounds all our sin. We have been completely and fully pardoned. And now that we are pardoned, His grace rules our hearts and sin no longer has dominion. Grace superabounds within the heart of the Believer! It has increased and surpassed the dominion of sin in our hearts.

Believers who feel that they are "on parole," are being effected by legalism, by religion that is a cruel dictator and places the heavy yoke and burdon of their salvation upon themself. Salvation is a Gift and a Gift cannot be earned. Justification is a Gift, and cannot be revoked. Sanctification is a Gift of Grace working in your heart. It is a Gift and is indelible! Your callings, destiny, giftings and Salvation itself are all irreversible and completely maintained by Grace. When a prisoner is pardoned, he is free, unconditionally, no strings or red tape attached. But when a man is paroled, there are conditions. We are fully pardoned, even our guilt is gone. We are not "on parole." earning or maintaining our freedom, and/or continuing to pay the debts for our crimes.

When we do occasionally sin, we have a Holy Resource offered to us by Grace . . . . the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son (which) cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [and keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].(1 John 1:7) I remember years ago watching Benny Hinn on TV. And I remember him "warning" people who had just had marvelous healing experiences that they better not sin, "or they would lose their healing!" He would adivise them to go to church, read the Bible, do this and do that or else! Or else they would lose their healing. What blasphemy! What slander to the Character of God and His loving and kind heart. I remember there being no light, only fear, in my heart after hearing that. This is an example of toxic and abusive legalism. The healing was a Gift from God. And the Word of God says in Romans 11:29, "for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." You can contemplate for days on just the "gifts of God's Grace" . . .there are so many. . . but let's focus on healing, deliverance, and salvation! and what IRREVOCABLE really means. Irrevocable means: "that cannot be revoked, recalled, or undone; unalterable." Some synonyms for irrevocable are: permanent, unalterable, irreversible, indelible! I like indelible myself! :) The Gifts and the callings of God are permanent . . are unalterable . . .are irreversible . . . and are indelible! This is Good News. Yes, I believe now more than ever, as a recovering legalist, that "once saved, always saved."


Why? Because of the above. His grace is greater than all my sin. He has removed the dominion of sin from my heart and His Grace SUPERABOUNDS in it's place. "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Romans 5:20) and His Gifts and callings are irrevocable.

No, He will never revoke your healings, your deliverances or your salvation. You have been fully pardoned and fully acquitted. . . .no penalty, no guilt, you are completely justified and you have the blessed assurance that His grace will lead you Home. No longer are we to be cringing, fearful slaves, but free children who have nothing left against us for Him to even chide us for (Colossians 1:22b - LBV).


The Good News of the Gospel is simply, good news and brings relief to the sinner. John Newton wrote "Amazing Grace." Newton celebrated the greatness of God’s grace because it replaced the dominion of sin in his heart.

"Thru many dangers, toils and snaresI have already come.
‘Tis grace hath bro’t me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home."


No roadblock, no obstacle of Satan, no mountain of struggle is too big, too powerful, too overwhelming to counter the reconstructing character of God’s grace. Those who stand in it cannot be overcome or snatched away from the Father’s hand. “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9a). Furthermore, what this grace has done for us in the past, we can count on it to do for us during the remaining part of the journey until we safely arrive at home in our Father’s House. Amen!

"Neither Do I Condemn You"

The Legalists thought they had Jesus pinned in a corner the day they brought the woman who was caught in the act of adultery to Him. According to the Law, she had to be stoned.

John 8:3-11: The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with His finger. When they kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."



There is only One Who has never sinned and He is the only One Who can condemn us. But He does not, rather He came to save us. "For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him." (John 3:17)

And here is an awesome truth . . . "Even the Father judges no one, for He has given all judgment (the last judgment and the whole business of judging) entirely into the hands of the Son" (John 5:22) The only One the Father has judged was His Son while He took our place on the cross. Therefore, Jesus is the only One who can condemn us . . . yet according to Romans 8:1 -- "there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus."

The legalists thought they had trapped Jesus. They didn't know that He was the Second Adam, the One who fulfilled all righteous requirements of the Law on our behalf. As God's Son, He had the authority to negate the letter of the Law in order to expose the Heart of God.

I believe the interpretation of all Scripture needs to pass through Jesus. He told the Legalists that they search for eternal life in them, but they really speak of Him! John 5:39 . . . "You search and investigate and pore over the Scriptures diligently, because you suppose and trust that you have eternal life through them. And these [very Scriptures] testify about Me!" In Christianity today, there is sometimes a tendency to view Scripture as God and ultimate Truth, rather than something pointing to God and ultimate Truth (Jesus). In other words, we start to worship, idolize Scripture... and that is precisely what Jesus was critical of.



Legalism is a TRAP! Legalists want to trap everyone. They want to keep you from entering into the rest of Christ. Matthew 23:13 -- "For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either."


Another time the Law of God went through a "revision," was when Peter was hungry (in a trance) on his roof and had a vision of defiled animals and was told by the Lord to "eat." Acts 10:11-15 -- He saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners. In the sheet were all sorts of animals, reptiles, and birds. Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.”
14) “No, Lord,” Peter declared. “I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean.” And basically God said, “What I call holy is holy." Mark 2:27, Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath." Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath. . . He's the Lord of the Law. He "broke" the law continually and frustrated the legalists. He wanted them to see, but they were blind.



I don't know which way I'm going here. I seem to be trying to convey two things at once:

1) the Law was meant to serve man, not man to serve the Law. This applies to the Scriptures, as well. They were meant to serve us, to point us to God's plan of Salvation through His Son. . .they were not meant for us to serve them. We serve Christ.

2) Jesus is the only One Who can condemn or judge us and He's the One Who came to save us. That, to me, is such a relief.

I've been on the end of a stone throwing and I can relate with the woman's experience of Jesus' heart of compassion. Stones were thrown and landed hard. Would they have been able to throw them if they heard the Master say, "You without sin, cast the first one?" Absolutely not. After they left . . . after they all walked away . . . One was still standing with me. I asked Jesus, "Your still here?" And He told me, "I will NEVER leave you NOR FORSAKE YOU. You are Mine." I am so grateful to have found my True Friend. I would go through it all again, just to have what I have in Christ so solidly now. I am fully convinced . . . .Thank you Jesus. I love you!


2/14/09 -- Adding this complementary and recently found video:

God's Love Expels All Fear

There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection]. —1 John 4:18 You don't believe how much God loves you, if you are afraid of judgment, punishment or even afraid of Him. Fear comes from unbelief. Faith believes in the Good News that it is finished!

There is so much joy and peace in believing in the Love of God through His Son, Jesus. Incredible relief is found in the Good News (Gospel). The love and mercy of God in Jesus washes away all fear of judgment and punishment. Knowing Him and the love that Paul describes in Ephesians 3:17-19 erases all torments and every trace of terror.

Some legalists/spiritual performers will quote scriptures from the Bible in order to control. Fear mixed with legalism will control. Scriptures like "working out your salvation with fear and trembling," (Phil. 2:12) and the story of Ananias and Saphira (in Acts 5) are used often by abusers to manipulate and support their own agendas and feed their desire for power. But we must remember that the Holy Spirit within every believer promises to give clarity and interpretation (the anointing within us so that no man may teach us -- (1 John 2:27). . . and Wisdom (James 1:5). He will faithfully and generously supply it so that we don't have to rely on another man's interpretation alone. We can easily go to the Writer and hear clearly what His heart and mind (the Mind of Christ) and intentions are conveying in His Holy Word.

Recently I asked the Lord regarding Philippians 2:12 and His first response to me was the Scripture quoted above . . 1John 4:18. And He also reminded me to read everything within it's context. The 13th verse of Philippians 12 states: "[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight." What, at first (v 12 alone), would seem to be a heavy yoke of personal performance and standards that need to be met, is actually (v13) a promise that this is not required to be done in your own strength. He gives us both the desire and the will to work for His good pleasure, satisfaction and delight . . . what a relief!

I let the peace of God . . . what I refer to as the RELIEF OF GOD . . . rule (or govern) my heart. Colossians 3:15 --And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (govern, control . . .act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which . . .you were called to live." When I feel His relief, I know I am standing in the grace, love and Good News of Jesus Christ. . . the easy yoke of the Gift of Eternal Life. This is the message of God given to us by His Son.

All Scripture must be interpreted through Jesus and by the Holy Spirit. Too many have indulged in abusive interpretations, including satan himself in the desert of Christ's temptations.

I end this entry with two blessed verses that I hope and believe will give us all relief and encouragement as well as strenthen our faith:

Romans 8:15 -- "So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16) For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17) And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.

v26)" And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. . . . 28) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. v 31)What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32) Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else? 33) Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one—for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. 34) Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
35) Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?. . . 37) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38) And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Epeshians 3:16-20 --"May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the Holy Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].
17)May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,
18)That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];
19[That you may really come] to know [practically], through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
20)Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--"

May this perfect love of God remove all fear, condemnation and every trace of torment as you walk in faith and the blessed assurance that is ours in Christ Jesus. Amen.

His Fruit . . .Not Mine

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is: Love, Peace, Joy, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. (Galatians 5:22)

What did God do for us? In the Old Testament, He sent the Jews His Law, His Covenant with them. . . a list of "dos and don'ts," a schoolmaster enforcing external control for a time. The Law was meant to show us that we are sinners. Apart from the Law, we wouldn't know our sin. The function of the Law of God is a holy function. It brings conviction and wisdom . . . knowing right from wrong. But it cannot save us! God's better plan for the salvation of fallen man was not to be in His Law -- external control, but rather thru His Son and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit -- internal control. In many ways, we raise our children in this way. We instruct them and through love and discipline focus on the external behavior while waiting for the promise of the salvation through their personal faith and then the best thing that could happen to any of our children . . . the Holy Spirit born in their hearts, bringing them freedom and internal control. The Holy Spirit becomes their internal parent. Not only that, He brings the anointing of God that breaks every yoke! He illuminates everything from the inside! The personality of God, the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, begins to flow from the inside out, freely.

It's the difference between incarceration (external control) and transformation (internal control). It is prison vs. freedom. The external control was needed for a time . . . just until the Deliverer came. Then the freedom just flows, without striving or struggling, but rather by faith through grace. This is Good News! This is the Relief of God!

Jesus describes this new way and life in John 15. It's called, "Abiding." He describes Himself as the Vine and His Father is the Vinedresser (the Gardener). He teaches us that we are just the branch; and that apart from Him, we can do nothing. Verse 4, "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me." Verse 5, "I am the Vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."

HOW do we abide? The very same way we came to Christ, Paul says in Galatians.

Galatians 5:5 -- "For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision (what we do externally or not do externally); but faith which worketh by love. . . But if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the law."

He bemoans the Galatians in chapter 3, verse 2: "Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. 3) How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? 4) Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?
5) I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ."

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, our Callings and ministries and the miracles of God are a gift to us by faith through the Father's Grace and Mercy in His Son Jesus. We can never earn them or achieve them through our own striving or performance. If we try, Paul says in Galatians we will fall from Grace and even live under a curse . . . v10) "But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under His curse, for the Scriptures say, 'Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.' 11) So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, 'It is through faith that a righteous person has life.' 12) This way of faith is very different from the way of law. . .

HOW do we abide? We plug into the Vine by faith. The same way we received this Life, we abide. Much like plugging into an outlet. You must plug into, by faith, the source of Life, fruit and power.

Faith in the power of the Holy Spirit to enable you to live the Chrisitan life.

"The Vine is Christ. I am the branch. The Holy Spirit is the "sap" that runs through the Vine (Jesus) and into the branch (me). The branch lives, grows and bears fruit NOT BY STRUGGLES and EFFORT . . .but simply by abiding." (Charles Stanley) "We are the BEARERS of His fruit, not the PRODUCERS."

"How does the branch bear fruit? NOT by incessant effort for sunshine and air; NOT by vain struggles for those vivifying influences which give beauty to the blossom, and verdue to the leaf; it simply abides in the vine, in silent and undisturbed union, (rest) and (I love this) SPONTANEOUS GROWTH. How, then, shall a Christian bear fruit? By efforts and struggles to obtain that which is freely given? By meditations on watchfulness, on prayer, on action, on temptation (accountability), and on dangers? NO: THERE MUST BE A FULL CONCENTRATION OF THE THOUGHTS AND AFFECTIONS ON CHRIST (set your full concentration on Him); a COMPLETE surrender of the your own works; a CONSTANT LOOKING AT HIM FOR GRACE."

(Hudson Taylor)

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is spontaneous! Sometimes it even surprises us. "That wasn't me! That was Someone living inside of me!" :)

"It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives IN ME!" (Gal. 2:20) It is no longer I who is expected to produce patience, self-control and love in my life. This is the job of the Holy Spirit! It is NO LONGER I who is expected to produce joy in the midst of stress. That, too, is the Holy Spirit's responsibility. It is no longer I who is expected to produce anything in the way of character. It is Christ (the Vine), working through the Holy Spirit (the Sap), producing character (blossoms and fruit) in me (the branch). WHAT A RELIEF!

His yoke is easy and His burden is light. If you think about it, branches were not designed to produce fruit -- they were designed to have fruit produced through them (to bear the fruit only). And by faith, I have accepted the relationship of abiding. To abide by faith is simply to live in Christ -- from Him every need is supplied! He is my Shepherd and I shall not want of anything. His is the all-sufficient Christ. . . and firmly adequate to carry me, keep me unto that Day and make me fruitful. Yes, He prunes, that too is His job . . . not mine. And it's not my job to prune others, either. We are all His work, His creation and work . . .hands off ourselves . . .hands off others. Eyes on Christ! Hearts fixed for the second coming! Ears open for His Voice and Song!