Once more I want to emphasize the serious problem of Legalism and how it discounts God’s Grace. If I can do something, anything, to be saved, then why do I even need God’s Grace? For that matter, why do I need Jesus? Why did He bother to come down from Heaven and die on The Cross if I can save myself? You see how offensive this sinful mentality is?!
Another problem is that Legalism never ends, because how good is good enough? How much do I need to tithe? How often should I do good works? How many times do I need to pray, and for how long? You see, it is exhausting because it is never ending. Mr Lucado says, “Grace offers rest. Legalism never does. Then why do we embrace it?… Might the answer include the verb boast?” (p104) There is it again: MMI! We so want to point that spot light onto ourselves. “See what I’ve done!? I’m so great I saved myself!” we want to boast. But our Salvation is not about us. This author says, “Your Salvation showcases God’s mercy. It makes nothing of your effort but everything of his.” (p105) God saves us for His own sake. For His own pleasure. For His own Glory.
If we must boast then, we should boast in the Lord, as St Paul says in 1Co 1:31. Go ahead, proclaim God’s great Love that moved Him to send His Son. Talk about the life, death and resurrection of our King Jesus that won for us the gift of Salvation. Praise the work of the indwelling Holy Spirit who transformed you from death to life, and continues to transform you from darkness to light. Let our boast be centered on God and His Goodness, for God and His Glory. There is nothing we can do to be saved, but certainly, we can spend the rest of this life, and the next, praising God for His Salvation.
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
<>< Peace, Diane
