We have only two choices...
Illustration
Object:
We have only two choices in life: be an egotistical sinner thinking only of ourselves -- even if we try to obey the word of the law literally, or be guided by God's Spirit which sets us free from our sinful selves. We find ourselves vacillating back and forth between the two. One day we want to be in charge. We are too proud to get something for what seems like nothing. We don't want to be guided by an outside force like the Spirit. We may want to be independent. But that kind of "freedom" leads to death.
All through the Old Testament people were taught to live by the law. Now and then a prophet like Micah adds an item that says: "What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God." Yes the Lord does have some rules he would like us to follow, but do it for the right reason.
When a wife or husband or children do exactly what their mate or parent wants them to do "legally." No matter how exactly they try to obey every word they have been given, it still means nothing if it hasn't been done in love -- because they love their partner or parent. It can mean nothing if not done in the right spirit.
God knows that if we are left to ourselves, our sinful nature will drive us. It can sound so righteous (self-righteous) and like a true American it can make us content with our own goals. Almost everyone would agree with that feeling. It takes a humble person to turn himself completely over to our Lord's Spirit and be ruled by that Spirit.
Our goal must be first to please God! His Spirit must be working in us if we belong to Christ. We have to remember that the alternative is death -- eternal death.
It is not easy to reject sin. Sin has us in its power all our lives. We go back and forth between law and gospel. We need to be constantly calling on the Spirit of God in us to reject anything but Christ's Spirit. Our pastor and fellow members can help also.
All through the Old Testament people were taught to live by the law. Now and then a prophet like Micah adds an item that says: "What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God." Yes the Lord does have some rules he would like us to follow, but do it for the right reason.
When a wife or husband or children do exactly what their mate or parent wants them to do "legally." No matter how exactly they try to obey every word they have been given, it still means nothing if it hasn't been done in love -- because they love their partner or parent. It can mean nothing if not done in the right spirit.
God knows that if we are left to ourselves, our sinful nature will drive us. It can sound so righteous (self-righteous) and like a true American it can make us content with our own goals. Almost everyone would agree with that feeling. It takes a humble person to turn himself completely over to our Lord's Spirit and be ruled by that Spirit.
Our goal must be first to please God! His Spirit must be working in us if we belong to Christ. We have to remember that the alternative is death -- eternal death.
It is not easy to reject sin. Sin has us in its power all our lives. We go back and forth between law and gospel. We need to be constantly calling on the Spirit of God in us to reject anything but Christ's Spirit. Our pastor and fellow members can help also.
