Volume 4 Post/Email 9 – Faith(#9)
In a discussion about Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ, Acts 15:9-11 reads, "He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."
An amazing thing occurs when we choose to have faith in Christ - our heart is purified and our soul saved by the grace of Jesus.
Nothing else - including good works, spiritual acts or religious yokes - purifies our hearts and saves our soul.
If we attempt to quantify spirituality the way most do, the Pharisees win every time.
A good reflection question: Identify a few religious habits in your life that are currently losing (or have lost) their meaning and significance in helping you encounter/experience God and have a positive impact/impression upon your life. (After identifying any such religious habits, determine the reason(s) and solution(s). Understand, too, that this may not have happened suddenly, and therefore, it could take some time and thought to arrive at the reason(s) and solution(s).)
Faith in the atoning blood and grace of Christ is what saves us. There are many expressions of faith and options for deepening our faith and walk with God as a result of our standing with God in Christ.
The goal of the Christian should be "Christ formed in you" (Galatians 4:19). Religion and religious activity can help and hinder this pursuit. Sometimes we perceive ours and others spiritual walk and quantify such in ways that are putting on the necks of disciples of Jesus a yoke that is unnecessary.
May we all be men and women of faith who seek to honor Christ daily and grow spiritually through the many venues available and promoted in Scripture, but not in "yokeful contexts" placed on ourselves or others.
A second reflection question: What can/will I intentionally do this week to freely and sincerely worship God?
-Brian
