“And do not
grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of
redemption.” Ephesians 4:30
There are churches that purport a “works” theology that substitutes our
efforts for Christ’s work on Calvary. I believed their rhetoric until I
realized that we are wasting our time by trying to earn God’s love by being
good enough to deserve it. Even at our best, we deserve hell. All of us are unclean, and
all of our righteous acts are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).
Jesus willingly died to fulfill the law for us. Ephesians 2:8 tells us
that our Salvation comes not by good works, but by faith. When we try to earn
our right standing with God, we grieve the Holy Spirit, because we are putting
on the shackles of the law of sin and death rather than relying on the law of
life through Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2).
I am learning not to substitute saying the
"correct" words, responding in the "correct" way and doing
the “correct” things for walking in obedience to the Spirit. These
traditions have the appearance of effectiveness and wisdom, but they are full
of self-imposed rituals, false humility and harsh regulations. In the end, they
simply lack any success in restraining us from sinning or any true value in
helping someone who needs a word from God.
I am
attempting to stop, listen and obey the Spirit throughout the day instead. Even
if what He leads me to do breaks with tradition or makes me feel uncomfortable,
I would rather reap the fruit of righteousness than to stay within my comfort
zone. I do not need to fear what any person will do to me or what they will
think or say about me, as long as I walk in the Spirit. Pleasing God is my goal
and I will not let anyone judge me except Him.
Prayer
Lord, help
me to obey your Spirit’s inner promptings, even if I end up being unpopular.
Help me to value Your approval over man’s recognition or acceptance. Remind me
that there is nothing I can to do to earn Your love or my right standing in
Your eyes, because You already won both of those for me on Calvary’s Cross.
Thought of
the Day
I
would rather stand on the rock of Christ than on the sand of tradition.
