Daily Devotion written by Shelley Brandon, Grief and Encouragement Coach
“What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God's grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.”
How are you living out your Faith? Do you live by rules and regulations of religious traditions or are you living by the resurrection of living Savior?
I’m afraid to say that I often try to hide behind legalisms, judging others for things that I would not want to be judged by. Justifying myself to myself. Backing myself into self-created corner of the world. Trying to compete in an imaginary pageant of righteousness.
Can I possibly hope to impress God with anything I do? Who is it that I’m trying to impress with my show? Others, who aren’t even watching, or myself? Just how much righteousness can I create for myself anyway?
Living by my faith in Jesus Christ creates a balance and content in me. Living by my charades of religion leaves me grouchy and needy. So why do I continue to live in pageant mode rather than by the grace allowed to me through my Savior? Good question.
Heavenly Father, I come to you again asking for holy blinders to keep me focused on the cross and the sacrifice You made to grant us the way to eternal life with You. Let us not forget the power of Easter and the freedom it brings to us to live in Your grace and mercy. “Thank you”, is not enough to express the gratitude and humility for this unsurpassed blessing. Help us to not keep our hearts hidden away. In Jesus precious name,…~Amen
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