How a Christian can Forget the Rules, or, The Christian's Secret of a Successful Life

September 20, 2016

How a Christian can Forget the Rules, or, The Christian's Secret of a Successful Life

There are two types of people who profess to be followers of Christ.
 
THE LAW-KEEPER
 
The law of God is simply the expression of the nature of God, calling us to His life. “I love people, and I made you in My image; therefore, I want you to love people. I am holy, therefore, I want you to be holy.” There are some who meticulously look at every law and give their best effort to fulfill these rules. The problem is, they can't do it.
 
Because of the fall of man, we are born without God. In His absence, all we have is our best resolve and human strength. We cannot live like God because only God can live like God. We may impress others, but not God. Exhibit A was the Pharisees. Much zeal, no power.
 
THE SPIRIT FOLLOWER
 
But there is a better way to live, and Christ died to make it possible. By His grace and through His Spirit, He wants to come live in you and through you. This gives you the capacity to be led and empowered by Him. And, when this occurs, look at Paul's description of this life.
 
""But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.""
 
""But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."" (Galatians 5:18, 22-23)
 
Paul emphasized this also to the Romans:
 
Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:10)
 
A LAW-FULFILLING LIFE
 
Put all of the requirements of God--all He desires of man--in front of you. As you listen to the Spirit and follow His leading, through the Word, you will fulfill it all. Now, until you fully mature, the problem for the true Christian is not keeping the Law, it's following the Spirit! When we think we know better than God, we turn to follow the world, the flesh, and the devil, and disaster occurs.
 
But follow the Spirit. The primary fruit He produces in and through you will be perfect love toward God and man. When you are led and empowered by Him you will always fulfill the law of God! God never intended it to happen any other way!




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