Seven Signs You Might be Living Under Law
This week I finally got to see the movie, The Book of Eli.
If you like stories where a lone man stands up to the wicked while trying to distribute the word of God in a post-apocalyptic world, this is the movie for you.
Just don’t show it at your youth group. It is extremely violent. Still, it made me think about how people try to use God’s word for nefarious purposes.
Warning: Spoilers ahead.
In the movie Eli carries the last known copy of the Bible. He comes to a town where Carnegie, the local strong man, is looking for a Bible to control people. Eli’s not about to give up the world’s last copy of the KJV to a psychopath, so conflict ensues.
One of Carnegie’s thugs asks why they are being pushed so hard just to get a book. Carnegie reveals his diabolical motive:
It’s not a book! It’s a weapon. A weapon aimed right at the hearts and minds of the weak and the desperate. It will give us control of them. If we want to rule more than one small town, we have to have it. People will come from all over, they’ll do exactly what I tell ‘em if the words are from the book. It’s happened before and it’ll happen again. All we need is that book.
There’s a world of truth in that statement.
The Bible is universally known as “the Good Book” and rightly so. Its words are inspired and it will point you to Jesus. Read the whole Bible through the lens of the cross, and you will find redemption and life. Read the written word to discover the Living Word, and it will set you free.
But when handled incorrectly the Bible is utterly lethal.
Buried within lies the law which ministers death (2 Cor 3:7). For thousands of years, men like Carnegie have been misusing the law-bits of the Bible to control and manipulate others. Their goal is to enslave and dominate and their tools are fear and condemnation.
Paul warned that we become “estranged from Christ” to the degree that we are under law (Gal 5:4). What makes the grace of God ineffectual in our lives? It is getting entangled again in religious notions about what it means to do the right thing.
People have been living under self-imposed law ever since Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. I’d like to think that if I’d been Adam, I would’ve built a fence around that tree. Then I would’ve put warning signs all over that fence.
It’s too late for that now, but it’s not too late to put warning signs around the law.
Below are some of the signs that reveal whether you are living under the yoke of law or walking free in his divine grace. My purpose in posting this list is not to judge you, but to see you standing firm and free in Christ!
Seven signs that you may be under law
1. You’re not 100% sure if you’re 100% forgiven
God doesn’t do forgiveness in installments. All your sins were borne at the cross when God the Son abolished sin by the sacrifice of himself (Heb 9:26). Neither God the Father (Heb 8:12) nor God the Holy Spirit (Heb 10:17) remembers your sin any more. Believe it and be free!
2. You believe Christians have a duty to serve the Lord
Duty and responsibility are synonyms for obligation so this is a mind-set that says we are obliged, or indebted, to God. I’ve heard it said that “Jesus has done so much for you, what will you do for him?” Indeed, God has given us everything. Ever wondered why? He did it “that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:7).
He is not just rich in grace, but exceedingly rich. We cheapen his grace by thinking we have a duty or responsibility to pay him back. Our responsibility is to believe that he is good and true. It is not our obligation to serve the Lord, it is our royal privilege. It is not our duty, but our great delight.
3. You suffer from performance anxiety
Performance anxiety is a rational response to the uncertainty of life under the old covenant. But anxiety has no place in the new.
We are to draw water from the wells of salvation with joy (Is 12:3). We walk under law in anxiety and fear, but we walk under grace with joy and thanksgiving!
God has made us his Sons, and with such a Father we need not worry about anything (Matt 6:32). He is our Provider who delights to give good gifts to those who ask him (Matt 7:11). Those who serve under the law are insecure, but sons are secure.
4. You think, “God will bless me as I do my part”
The essence of a life enslaved by law is the mindset that says, “I must do something for God.” This mindset is anti-Christ and anti-cross. We are not justified by what we do but by grace alone (Rom 3:24). Grace and works don’t mix.
Grace, peace, and every spiritual blessing have been given to us by God our Father through Jesus Christ (Eph 1:3). We are not called to work for God, but to do the work of God.
Grace is God’s part; faith is our part (Eph 2:8). Faith is a positive response to what God has done. Faith is saying, “Thank you, Jesus!”
5. You think we need more preaching on repentance
Repentance saves lives, but preaching on repentance doesn’t lead to repentance.
A law mind-set emphasizes what people must do (turn or burn), but grace proclaims what God has already done (everything). A law mindset uses inferior incentives (fear, judgment) that lead to temporary changes in behavior, but the grace of God melts the hardest heart.
If you want people to genuinely repent, proclaim the goodness of God (Rom 2:4).
6. You think you have to overcome lest Jesus blot out your name
It isn’t about you. Jesus is our overcomer and our victory (John 16:33). If you believe Jesus is the Son of God, you have overcome the world.
Jesus promised that he would never blot out your name. Believe him.
7. You mainly think of following Jesus in terms of giving up things
Christianity is a divine exchange, our life for his. No doubt you’ve heard people say that following Jesus costs you everything, and it does. You cannot call him Lord without renouncing the right to your own life. But see what you get in exchange!
If salvation means nothing more to you than self-denial and personal sacrifice, you’ve missed the point. Christ offers us an unfair exchange; our life for his.
God favors us with this exchange. We give him our sinful little selves and get everything in return. A law mindset looks at what we give up, but a grace mindset rejoices at what he offers in return!
Stop thinking about what you gave up (nothing you could keep) and start enjoying what he has given you (everything!).
___________
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This was a great post! So blessed to be standing free and firm in Christ, certain that His grace is all I need. Peace, Linda
Love it, love it, love it! That quote in “The book of Eli” is really insightful, loved that part of it but the gore isn’t quite my cup of tea.
Mine either, Jan. I just don’t do extremely violent movies.
Hi Paul, Thanks for ur’inspiring text. Need permission to share on FB. JBUs
Hi Victor – thanks for asking, but you don’t need permission to paste the link to this post (https://escapetoreality.org/2010/11/06/under-law-1-7/) on your FB wall. (Or you can just hit the “Share” button under each post.) It’s good to spread the word. People, even Christians, need to hear the good news that God loves them and has freed them from the curse of the law. God bless.
Hello Paul, there seems to be a confusion between the law, and the curse (or shall we say punishment) of the law. Are punishment and curse the same thing as law? It is very confusing then why Jesus would say “if you love me, keep my commandments.” Also Matt.5:18 seems extraordinarily confusing when Jesus says: “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Did heaven and earth pass away? Please explain. Thank you and God bless! (This is not easy topic! May God’s Spirit teach us.)
Hi Aaron, much of the Bible can be confusing if we don’t understand the idioms and customs of first-century Israel. The key takeaway of Matt 5:18 is the fulfillment or accomplishment of the law. The Jews were very worried that Jesus was anti-law or that he had come to abolish their beloved law. “That’s not why I’m here,” said Jesus. “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill” (Matt 5:17). On the cross, Jesus fulfilled all the righteous requirements of the law on our behalf.
What about the heaven and earth passage? As I explain in my book AD70 and the End of the World, there are a couple of ways to read this. Some say “heaven and earth” refers to the temple, the earthly habitat of the heavenly God. Jesus is prophesying its destruction, an event which came to pass in AD70 long after he had fulfilled the law. Alternatively, he’s employing a figure of speech as in, “heaven and earth are more likely to pass away that my words fail to come true.” The short version: “You can trust what I’m saying – I’m here to fulfil the law.”
You can find my thoughts on John 14:15 in the Archives > Scripture Index. I hope this helps.
Paul,
Good post! Been thinking about freedom a lot as of late. I think what you are saying is key. Jesus died to free us from laws and rule and obligations we could never keep and yet he says that if we love Him we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). I think a lot of folks get hung up thinking that keeping the Jesus’ commandments is a dutiful “have to do” and miss the fact that love and the Spirit birth conformity to Jesus not human will power or effort.
Thanks Tony.
Hi Paul,
Agree with you on some points in the above posts, but from what you’re stating both Peter and Paul were under the Law:
“First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.” (Acts 26:20)
“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30)
“I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:21)
“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.'” (Acts 2:37-40)
Hi Gum,
Thanks for the comment. As I say in the post, repentance saves lives. Of course we must repent – both sinners and saints. Repentance is our lifestyle as we renew our minds and start living out our identity in Christ. Perhaps I wasn’t clear in what I wrote, but the point of difference is how we come to a place of repentance. A law mindset will always emphasize things we must do (eg: “you must repent!”), while grace emphasizes things God has done (eg: “He died and rose again”). Faith responds, it never initiates. Faith-filled repentance is a response to what God has done. How can people respond if they don’t first have a revelation of what God has done?
Peter and Paul demonstrate these grace priorities perfectly. In Acts 2:14-36, Peter preaches on the goodness of God – the outpouring of His Spirit (17-19), the hope of salvation (21), the cross (22-23), the resurrection and exaltation of Christ foretold (24-31) and fulfilled (32-35). Not once does Peter mention repentance, yet his listeners are so convicted of their unbelief that they ask, “what shall we do?” (37). Then, and only after they have already come to the place of repentance through a revelation of God’s goodness, does Peter tell them to repent.
Look at what Paul preached in the various cities and in every one of his letters, and you will see the same pattern. His general pattern was to preach “Christ crucified” (1 Co 1:23) and the “forgiveness of sins” (Acts 13:38). In only one of the three verses you picked was Paul preaching to the lost. The context (Athens) was men who had long been reaching out for an “unknown God”, a God they already knew to be good – as Don Richardson has explained in his book, Eternity in their Hearts. Paul clearly understood that it is a revelation of God’s goodness that leads men to repentance (Rms 2:4).
Simply telling people they need to turn will not lead them to a place of lasting repentance. Repentance doesn’t lead to repentance. You have to give them a good reason to turn. The goodness of God – and the utter folly of continuing in sin in light of His goodness – is the best reason there is.
Dear Paul,
I am very new to you. I enjoy reading your on Grace and I do believe in the finished work of our Lord. I am not very clear on the way you talk abot repentance. Please explain the repentance our Lord Jesus demand from the 7 churches in the book of Revelation. Thank you. May the Lord bless you
If you enter the words “repentance” or “Laodicea,” or “Rev 3:17” for example, in the search box at the top of this website, you will find all relevant posts on those subjects.
repentance on my point of view cant saves live..but Jesus saves lives through repentance..
There is a difference in repenting of your sins and repenting toward God. Repent simply means to turn. What does the verse say? Does it use the word sin in context with the word repent. Very rarely. It usually means to turn from your unbelief and believe in the LORD to save you.
Thanks Paul,
Get your thinking and mostly agree but just two quick things.
1) Be careful not to take Rms 2:4 out of context. As you know lifting a verse out of it’s context and using it as a proof text can be very misleading and in the same manner adding to it.
2)Galatians tells me it’s the law that leads people to the realization they need Christ, a saviour.
Two quick responses:
1) If Paul isn’t saying “God’s goodness leads to repentance,” was is he saying? What is the context that changes the meaning of this passage?
2) Galatians 3:24 tells me the same thing too. What does this have to do with the current post?
Do u havet to be Baptized to be saved
“When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of strength and life. Hence it is satan’s constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and thus prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ. The pleasures of the world, life’s care and perplexities and sorrows, the faults of others, or your own faults and imperfections – to any or all of these he will seek to divert the mind. Do not be misled by his devices.
Many who are really consciencious and who desire to live for God, he too often leads to dwell on their own faults and weaknesses and thus by separating them from Christ, he hopes to gain the victory. We should not make self the center and indulge anxiety and fear as to whether we shall be saved. All this turns the soul away from the Source of our strength. Commit the keeping of your soul to God and trust in Him. Talk and think of Jesus. Let self be lost in Him. Put away all doubt, dismiss your fears.” – Ellen White, Steps to Christ.
typo 4. – we but do grace alone (Rms 3:24) Correction – “We are not justified by what we do but by grace alone. (Rms 3:24) “
Thanks Roshan. More than 2000 people have read this particular post but you were the first to spot the typo (now fixed). That makes you E2R’s “Reader of the Week”! Congratulations!
Excellent!!!! I just came across your blog today and this was an excellent read. Thank you!
Wow what a powerful message. Thanks for your message continue more to grow in Grace. Thanks Paul Elli
This is awesome…..I wish there was a way to print it out!
Hi Patty,
If you look at the sharing buttons under the post (above the comments) and you will see one button labeled “More.” Hold your cursor over this button and you will see several sharing options one of which is “Print.” Print away!
Surely the Lord brought me today to discover your blog. It’s such a blessing to me! This is a “setting free” post, because of the truth.
Thanks so much Paul – you are doing such a great work in Him. Thanks for being so fully persuaded in His finished work and boldly proclaiming that persuasion!
Hi Phil, thanks for the encouragement!
Hi Paul,
I thank God for leading me to your blog. I thank God for another person like you boldly proclaiming the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ with such clarity!!!
truely enlightened.
Beautiful glorious stuff. One positively inhales freedom as you read it. Please keep me posted (I’m from Cape Town). Many blessings
I have waited for an individual who understands grace seriously online… Its one thing to know the truth and another to explain it to others in such an awesome manner.. This is what I’m talking about!!! Go Paul
Thanks Paula!
Paul, I go to a church that claims grace – the most famous church on television. Lakewood church. It’s almost liberating, except for one thing – Joel always says, “God will bless you as you do your part.” And like a sucker I quack the same line, selling out on the gospel. It’s a lot of heat, to defend the purity of grace.
Everyday when I go to work, I walk under law in anxiety and fear, instead of walking under grace with joy and thanksgiving! There was a time I did walk with joy and thanksgiving, but somehow, performance-reviews cut me short. Thanks for pointing out the problem, so that I can be aware of this very scary set of mind-sets.
By the way Paul, have you had a change of mind about this recently (I ask based on a wonderful quote on gracequotes.com)?
Nope.
I like joel, and i think what he is saying is [living it out] means as you get more of a revelation of grace you will live it out, he is the author and finisher of our faith.
I`m truly blessed with this message I LOVE YOU MORE JESUS!!!
Poderoso esto de las “7 señales”. Lo mas grave de todo es que las personas están siendo (mal) enseñadas a que tienen que hacer cosas para agradar a Dios. Gracias. Bendiciones
Powerful these “7 signs”. The most serious is that people are being (mis) taught to have to do things to please God. Thank you. Blessings
Hi, I have spent the last few weeks reading as much as I can from this website. I’m a pretty new Christian, so all of this is pretty new to me. However, before becoming a Christian, I spent my life trying to be ‘a good person’ and it didn’t work, so I already know that trying in your own strength to be better doesn’t work. I understand the concept of grace in theory and when I read the wonderful stuff on here, I feel excited by this way of relating to God, but, in reality, I have no idea how to live it out. I read and I pray about it and I read more and pray more and acknowledge fully that I can’t do anything in my own strength, but then continue to try, try, try and then beat myself up for failing!!! I feel like I’m stuck and I don’t know how to get ‘unstuck’. I read the ‘7 signs’ above and sadly think I’m still very caught up in the first three. Any ideas from anyone for moving forward, or am I expecting too much too soon???
“I have no idea how to live it out. I read and I pray about it and I read more and pray more and acknowledge fully that I can’t do anything in my own strength, but then continue to try, try, try and then beat myself up for failing!!!” You just answered your own question!
Like Paul in Romans 7, your focus is on your self. You may be saved but you are walking after the old ways of the flesh. Instead of allowing Christ to live his life through you, you are trying to be Christ. Bad idea. Stop trying. Start trusting. Stop transmitting and start receiving. Instead of asking God to help you do stuff, thank him for what he’s done. Fix your eyes on Jesus and keep them there.
Love this reply. I too have allowed myself to be tossed like a wave. Now, when I feel myself start to ask God what does he want me to do, do, do…I redirect and thank him for the good works He has already Graced me for today. Even if it’s dishes, laundry and playing with my daughter.
You can never expect too much from God, but you can most definitely expect too much from yourself. And what is it you’re expecting from you anyway? This isn’t a performance, this is you and God in relationship thanks to the new birth. Try to think of it as you would a relationship within a new marriage. You’d never go on in that way, “I read about marriage, I pray about it, I read more and pray more and then I try, try, try…”. Meanwhile, your new spouse is sitting there wondering when you’re actually going to talk to them, love them and enjoy your new relationship!
Thanks for the comments. Yep, what you both said makes total sense and I know my focus is wrong, and that the answer lies in fixing my eyes on Jesus, stopping trying, starting to trust and enjoying the relationship – I just don’t know how to do that in practice! And I do thank God for everything he’s done (although I don’t claim to understand fully all he’s done) – I just don’t think I live according to that. It’s frustrating, as I really can see that I’m ‘walking after the old ways of the flesh’ and I want to change that, but I don’t seem to be able to, which I realise sounds pathetic, but that’s how it is!!! Anyway, thanks for the comments. I appreciate them.
Well this is the crux of the matter, isn’t it? You want to change it, you want to make it happen. I understand where you’re at! Here’s the thing – you are experiencing a process of dying to the old way you’ve known of striving to “do it” in your efforts. The discomfort you are feeling is that you are finding you’re unable to figure out how to “do it”. The more you look to see how you can accomplish your current “To Do” list, the more perplexed you are feeling, but that’s a process you’ve got to go through in order to stop striving in your own ability and enter His rest. You will come to believe fully in His finished work and His promises to you because He has made you totally new. It will become “He did it and will complete it” and less of the “I do it”. (He’s gonna poke your I’s out). 🙂
1 Cor. 1:8
“he’s gonna poke your I’s out!”
lol! love it!
😀
Thank you for your help. I take comfort in what you have said – that this is a necessary process to go through, and I’d be happy to have my I’s poked out! 🙂
Awesome post…Thanks Paul
Wonderful post, esp. as I am embracing freedom in Christ’s love and grace after leaving the Catholic Church. Thanks for this, it’s really helpful and reaffirming for me at this time 🙂
I am so blessed and tranformed thankyou Jesus.
GREAT POST! amen ! i rest in grace!!
Hey Paul,
I “accidently” came across some of your stuff while doing a google search, and I can’t get enough of what you write. I love how everything is backed up scripturally, and it makes it easy to read, especially for a newcomer to grace, as I am. Can you explain something for me that I keep getting stuck on. It’s Matt 5:17-20, but specifically verses 18 and 19. I get that Jesus was teaching the law, but how to do I explain to others verse 18? How can the sky and earth pass away? Thank you!
Mary
Hi Mary, I believe Jesus is saying the law will endure for as long as the earth does. The cross didn’t abolish the law. After the cross Paul spoke of the law being good if used properly, and so forth. The law is there to lead us to Christ (Gal 3:24) that he might be the end of the law for all who put their trust in him (Rom 10:4).
Christ is the end of the law FOR righteousness… it does not say “Christ is the end of the law [period].
I see it this way, if I go about doing all the right things, walk or drive on the correct side of the road, stop at every stop sign, love neighbour, mother, everyone as myself, eat right, have every dirty spot everywhere removed and just accomplishing all the right things in life, I would just be doing things the required way. I still would be one of the myriads the bible says, For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…..Rom. 3:23. I still would not have received the gift of God, which is forgiveness of sins and eternal life, through Jesus Christ. Doing the right things is good, but doing things the right way is better. When we are saved from sin, then we will be able to be led by the Spirit of God to do good works, for we are saved unto good works. We have all sinned against God and God whom we sinned against, provide the required perfect sacrifice we could not provide but needed and more.
WOW. What a great article. Right off the bat, #1 hit home. I used to be in a mixed grace and law church, but didn’t know it. They taught you had to asked for forgiveness every time you missed it, unless you were perfect and I most certainly didn’t feel that way. We practiced 1-7. Every time I actually felt the presence of God manifested, I would think here is my chance to tell God how sorry I was. I would cry and ask for forgiveness. Until one day I watched a old movie, old to me lol, “What Dreams May Come” with Robin Williams. Don’t know if you know it or not, but in one scene, Robin’s character is dead and he, in the spirit, is trying to be next to his wife who is grieving him and every time he gets close to her she breaks down and cries and cries. It breaks his heart and so eventually leaves her. Now I know God will never leave me but I could hear God speak to me through that scene. How sad it must make Him feel that every time He wanted to make Himself known to me, I would cry and cry and say I was sorry….
Sounds a lot like a man centered gospel to me.
Paul – Good to see this excellent post is still being read. The Holy Spirit is giving so much revelation to so many people – I hope that this message keeps spreading.
Something I read last night got me to thinking about Martin Luther. He was the reformer of his day, bucking the religious practices of the Roman church. I decided to read, for the first time, his 95 theses. What an eye-opener. As “different” as he was, he was still steeped in the law. Thank God that, in this age of easy media access, people like you are spreading the true Good News.
One comment on repentance that is so very important: to repent means to change one’s thinking, not change one’s direction. The latter naturally follows the former, but can only be successful when believers truly believe what Jesus has done for us. That’s why it’s so important to implement Romans 12:2.
Paul, just want to thank you, you inspired me to write a blog post “66 indicators of a legalist belief system” There are two types of believers out there. Both are saved. One has peace, the other lives in anxiety and legalism. “Focus on your faith, not your failures, focus on your salvation, not your sins, focus on God’s grace, not your guilt, and REST in his love, grace and mercy. It’s not what you do, but what Christ DID on your behalf. Keep doing the Lord’s work brother, God bless!.
sir how could i escape living under law? ive been struggling on so much of this ive been in fear in depression and so much now it creates symptoms in my body life seems so hard for me its like i want to give up i cant fight the demons inside me, its a very long story i cant tell everything
You need to repent and change your unbelieving mind. You need to see the cross and empty tomb and command those demons to leave. This will help.
sir im having hard time with these teaching ive tried to feed myself with grace teachers like Joseph Prince but i dont know why there’s no manifestation of healing its very long story i feel always if i cant take this all im going crazy, right now im so frustrated like i dont want to fight my thoughts anymore im so tired sir i dont know how the Lord may help me it seems i cant help myself, pardon
xernandelacruz,I want to encourage you, the father is VERY CAPABLE when it comes to KEEPING YOU and maintaining you.this is the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE. trust me he has the hairs on your head counted,trust him to heal and deliver you.
its so hard ive been like this for 4yrs and so 😦 its like its killing me slowly but im trying to get out but i find it hard.
xernandelacruz read and meditate on the book of Galatians. Mainly Chapters 2-5. Its what I’ve had to do. Ask God to speak to you and open your eyes. Remember it is His Word and it is truth. When it says “You are no longer a slave, but a son” its true. Its a mindset that needs to be transformed by His Spirit and Word. Read it until it begins to resonate and be instilled in you.
I need help! I have a hang up from Galations 5. The fall from Grace happened to me! In an instant, because of walking away from God and living in sin, I decided I hadn’t truly accepted Jesus because I only accepted Him as savior and not Lord. That very night the bible terrified me when I read it. I no longer could see Grace, only all I have done wrong and am doing wrong. I went from freedom to bondage. Getting back seems impossible because to do so I have to believe that God is ok with the fact that I tried to add to His salvation. I’m live in constant fear and major anxiety. Any words of advice? How can I see grace and acceptance and have peace?
Tonia, I would start fresh and read Mark or one of the Gospels. And just seek the Lord in humility and genuineness. Confess all that is on your heart to Him. Remember He is gracious and merciful. Begin to completely rely and depend on Jesus alone and renounce any self-righteousness or any works that feed self-righteousness. I believe His grace will then begin the work within you that you need 😉
Tonia if you want to see how gracious God is all you have to do is visit a few churches close to you, I can guarantee you that most will be filled with self righteous people, but still you will see and feel the prescence of God , you will hear of miracles he has worked in people, self righteous people , they will even tell you that these miracles are a result of Gods approval of them.God does not approve of you because you sin or don’t sin or because you are self righteous or not , God loves you because you are you, yes even the self righteous sinning you.His greatest desire is that you would see him in this light, so that you may live in his light and love.
Hi Tonia,to just add to Brads comments…a christian may fall from grace,but never OUT of grace.The Galatians fall from grace was not a loss of salvation, but a return to law living.I believe that your thinking that you didn’t “truly” accept Jesus because you only accepted Him as Savior and not Lord,is wrong thinking which unfortunately many Bible teachers teach.It is saying in effect that you need to establish personal merit(by making Jesus Lord,proving with your works),rather than resting in Christs work.Who could possibly ever “prove” or “boast” that they had “made him Lord”,and therefore now their salvation was secure? Jesus is Lord,,,and when you accepted Him you were placed in Christ and have the perfect merit of the Son of God.Paul has some excellent posts here on E2R on acceptance and i would encourage you to read them. ALL sin was dealt with at the cross,and the grace of God is greater than all.
We do have to serve our lord, everyday of our lives. We are the soldiers under command spreading the good news about christains his son
Elucidating is the only word I can find to describe the teaching :
Signs you could be living under the law.
I am a teacher of the word and I have a travel ministry.
Please is there a way I could get, (purchase if necessary) copies of some of the booklets, for the purpose of giving the out at my meetings.
Especially:
1. What makes the new testament new.
If you are referring to the article by that title, you are welcome to make free copies for distribution as per the guidelines here. However, if you are referring to the longer ebook (the one given to new subscribers), then you’ll need a license agreement from KingsPress. Thanks for your interest.
Maimcision…. When you preach on this topic you must understand a warning Paul gives describing two distinct valid gospels. Maimcision is a made up word for a mix of two gospels into a Non Gospel…..Best writer I know on explaining this is Martin Zender…First Idiot in Heaven….Grace and Peace to your ministry…..
Hello Paul, may I use much of this for part of my book? I will make sure it is referenced back to this site. Amen! God Bless you.
Sure.
It’s so encouraging keep up
Almost every one of these describes me. And it’s made me even more depressed. I’ve been struggling with performance anxiety and depression for five years, mainly because I have high-functioning autism.
But what really gets me down is that I’ve heard about people who were delivered from issues much worse than mine, and it’s left me wondering why that hasn’t happened for me. I know about grace but I have a really hard time applying it. And I hate it when I get “christianese” phrases because they never make any sense.
Rachel I certainly dont have the answers, but I have struggled with legalism and a performance based relationship with God for 95% of my walk and this year Ive finally started to realize it. Its still a struggle. What I believe Im starting to see is that Christ has done absolutely everything for us and we dont have to perform to a certain level to earn or even maintain salvation and righteousness. It has all been given to us, so we are free to just receive His love and grace and to simply love others. Theres no burden or weight on us…no obligation. Its all taken care of. We can simply live. As far your deliverance, I dont have much, but I believe even that is dependent on His grace. Ive seen little things improve and heal in me since getting away from legalism and performance based living and starting down the path of grace and freedom.
Paul, I know what you write is true because else where you encourage to attend church regularly out of simple trust with God. How do we intepret one of the last verses of Revelation in my bible that says that if we fail to keep all the words written in the book or keep a part out (is this about deliberate? or all sin the same?) then such a person’s part is taken out of the book of Life. I really am encouraged here, and grace is exciting. I look forward to your response.
Roshan it’s my understanding that Jesus is referring to the book of Revelation in that verse, not necessarily the whole Bible. This is just my opinion through my reading of Revelation.
Have to share…
Terry-
No baptism doesn’t save you. Look at the thief on the cross. He just believed. Believe Jesus died in your place to forgive you of your sins. Thank him for it. Then you’re saved! He will show you anything you should do after that . But those things, even baptism, don’t save you.
Very good
How?
Even as a grace-walker I repeatedly get snagged in the word “how”. I see a new grace related truth and the first thing I ask God and myself is, “How do I do this?” He is gradually showing me He is my “how”. He is living out His life through me. Trying to figure out the how can easily entangle me in the law. Or self-effort which is really the law. Asking how is the opposite of letting go.
Soo… True. Thanks Dr Paul. Gospel uncut.
It’s is Finished