Freedom (Elyse Fitzpatrick)
It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore, keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Gal 5:1
In her book, Comforts From the Cross, Elyse Fitzpatrick talks about the freedom that we have in Christ. (devotion, day 17)
Paul was writing to the Galatian church that was being bothered by the Judaizers. They were teaching the believers that they needed to add works to their faith in Christ to be acceptable before God. Paul knew what it was like to be under bondage to law. He had spent his entire life chained to law. Finding liberty in Christ, he was infuriated with the false teachers to the point of saying "I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves". (Gal5:12)
Most of us realize that the Christian life is war, but its not only a battle against slavery to sin. It's also a battle against slavery to law. There are two fronts in our war to maintain freedom: the obvious one against sin and the hidden one against works-righteousness. Most of us have missed the second war entirely. In blinding us to the dangers of our works-righteousness Satan has accomplished much. Of course he would snicker if we lived debauched lives and never thought about obedience. But that tactic doesn't work on everyone, particularly not the religious proud. So he tempts us to rely on the law to spruce things up a bit and assures us of Gods approval. I do believe that God loves me, we muse, but I'm sure He'd love me more if I went on the mission field or prayed longer or never yelled at my kids. "This persuasion is not from him who calls you," Paul thunders. (Gal.5:8-9) Here's Paul's shocking message: just a smidgeon of works-righteousness, just a drop of minor law-keeping (so that we're sure we're covering all of our bases) will poison our entire soul.
Works-righteousness will enslave us, similar to more obvious sins, but it's more dangerous because it appeals to our religious pride. It comes cloaked in something akin to genuine goodness. I know that I don't have to get straight A's, have people over every night, or wash my car every weekend, but I think it shows I am really serious about pleasing God and not like other people who take their salvation for granted.
We smile conceitedly when we think that we're just a bit better than others. Satan is, of course, delighted to trap us in either debauchery or pride; he doesn't care which. But religious pride so perfectly works to dishonor Christ. Satan gloats over legalistic religiosity because it always results in hypocrisy. Pride will keep people out of Christ's kingdom just as easy as the lower entrapments of drunkenness or prostitution, but religious hypocrisy also strikes at the heart of God's reputation in the world.
The one possibility that Satan dreads is that we might discover the priceless freedom Christ purchased for us. He fears this liberty because he knows that it is only by the Spirit, by faith and not our works, that we triumph over sin. Our freedom in Christ is a foil to all of his schemes. So, Paul writes, "walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." (Gal. 5:16) Hear the promise implicit in that verse. Walk in freedom and faith, live in light of the Spirit's work; don't rely on your good works and you will not gratify fleshly cravings.
When I think of the "works of the flesh" I usually recall this list: "sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, drunkenness, orgies and things like these" Gal.5:19-21). But in the fours chapters prior, Paul equated "the works of the flesh" with slavery to the law, legalism and self-righteousness. He contrasted works of the flesh and legalism with the work of the Spirit and freedom. He knew that legalistic law keeping does not keep sin out; it actually engenders self indulgence and the pride that breeds conflict and competition.
She goes on to talk about our love of rules to live by and our need for freedom.
This is a 31 day devotional and I am on day 17...because I usually do not manage to read it every day :) I am really enjoying what I have read.
Here is the non review from Challies:
http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/books-i-didnt-review-5
In her book, Comforts From the Cross, Elyse Fitzpatrick talks about the freedom that we have in Christ. (devotion, day 17)
Paul was writing to the Galatian church that was being bothered by the Judaizers. They were teaching the believers that they needed to add works to their faith in Christ to be acceptable before God. Paul knew what it was like to be under bondage to law. He had spent his entire life chained to law. Finding liberty in Christ, he was infuriated with the false teachers to the point of saying "I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves". (Gal5:12)
Most of us realize that the Christian life is war, but its not only a battle against slavery to sin. It's also a battle against slavery to law. There are two fronts in our war to maintain freedom: the obvious one against sin and the hidden one against works-righteousness. Most of us have missed the second war entirely. In blinding us to the dangers of our works-righteousness Satan has accomplished much. Of course he would snicker if we lived debauched lives and never thought about obedience. But that tactic doesn't work on everyone, particularly not the religious proud. So he tempts us to rely on the law to spruce things up a bit and assures us of Gods approval. I do believe that God loves me, we muse, but I'm sure He'd love me more if I went on the mission field or prayed longer or never yelled at my kids. "This persuasion is not from him who calls you," Paul thunders. (Gal.5:8-9) Here's Paul's shocking message: just a smidgeon of works-righteousness, just a drop of minor law-keeping (so that we're sure we're covering all of our bases) will poison our entire soul.
Works-righteousness will enslave us, similar to more obvious sins, but it's more dangerous because it appeals to our religious pride. It comes cloaked in something akin to genuine goodness. I know that I don't have to get straight A's, have people over every night, or wash my car every weekend, but I think it shows I am really serious about pleasing God and not like other people who take their salvation for granted.
We smile conceitedly when we think that we're just a bit better than others. Satan is, of course, delighted to trap us in either debauchery or pride; he doesn't care which. But religious pride so perfectly works to dishonor Christ. Satan gloats over legalistic religiosity because it always results in hypocrisy. Pride will keep people out of Christ's kingdom just as easy as the lower entrapments of drunkenness or prostitution, but religious hypocrisy also strikes at the heart of God's reputation in the world.
The one possibility that Satan dreads is that we might discover the priceless freedom Christ purchased for us. He fears this liberty because he knows that it is only by the Spirit, by faith and not our works, that we triumph over sin. Our freedom in Christ is a foil to all of his schemes. So, Paul writes, "walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." (Gal. 5:16) Hear the promise implicit in that verse. Walk in freedom and faith, live in light of the Spirit's work; don't rely on your good works and you will not gratify fleshly cravings.
When I think of the "works of the flesh" I usually recall this list: "sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, drunkenness, orgies and things like these" Gal.5:19-21). But in the fours chapters prior, Paul equated "the works of the flesh" with slavery to the law, legalism and self-righteousness. He contrasted works of the flesh and legalism with the work of the Spirit and freedom. He knew that legalistic law keeping does not keep sin out; it actually engenders self indulgence and the pride that breeds conflict and competition.
She goes on to talk about our love of rules to live by and our need for freedom.
This is a 31 day devotional and I am on day 17...because I usually do not manage to read it every day :) I am really enjoying what I have read.
Here is the non review from Challies:
http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/books-i-didnt-review-5
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