Sunday, November 27, 2022

Grace, Foolishness, or Legalism: What does it mean to be Saved?

  For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) Romans 5:17 AMPC

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ...2 Corinthians 8:9a MEV 

 We've been a new series, examining the practical aspects of the Christian life lived with a Grace and Finished Work perspective. We are locating ourselves in our walk with God in the form of a question. Are we actually abiding under Grace, or foolishness, or legalism? 

 We've already looked at many aspects of the Christian life under Grace, such as what about the Law or differing personal convictions. Today, it seems good to look at salvation in Christ. What does it mean to be saved, what are we actually saved from?

  Grace has been revealed to all mankind in the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul informs us in Titus that Grace has appeared to all mankind offering salvation to whosoever will receive it. Grace finds us where we are offering the free gift of New Life in Christ. Upon acceptance, no cleanup on our part is required. Grace sees us where we are in all our sins, depravity, brokenness, and spiritual death and stoops down and brings us out and lifts us up, translating us from death to life.

 What does it mean to be saved? What is a Christian?

16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  John 3:16 MEV

 24 “Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has eternal life and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death into life. John 5:24 MEV

 A Christian is simply one who believes and trusts in Christ alone, believing He is arisen and is seated at God's right hand. What does it mean to be saved? It is simply this, one who trusts in Christ alone and therefore has been delivered from spiritual death and now possesses eternal life. 

 Now the foolish cannot answer this question. For they believe that all humanity is already "saved" or righteous apart from any belief, any trust, or any conscious decision to willfully trust Christ alone. Love to them is a divine invasion of the will of all humanity. God knows what's best for all and therefore He forces all to abide with Him regardless if they choose to or not.

 They also can't answer the question of what it means to be saved because they deny that anyone was ever actually lost. Spiritual death or separation is a made-up concept that legalists push on humanity they claim. If no one was ever lost, no human was ever born with the lost Adamic sinful nature, what is there to be saved from? In essence, Jesus didn't even need to die. 

 The foolish's view of mankind's spiritual condition is clearly contradictory to Jesus' words and the words of Paul. So what about the legalist's view of what it means to be saved? How would they outline what it means to be saved?

 Legalists will claim Grace is great. Grace is amazing for it finds lost sinners and offers them salvation. Yet in the grand scheme of things Grace is insufficient in and of itself to save you. 

 Legalism tells the lost to come just as they are, Christ will receive them. Yet, with the passage of a little time, their salvation is unassured. The legalists will claim what it means to be saved is that you have begun living a life that is completely opposite to your old one. In other words, being saved means your performance, your behavior, and your actions are completely morally perfect and flawless. 

 Legalism points to our lives and how we lead them to prove one is saved. They don't to point Jesus' perfect obedience, they point to ours. If we fail to measure up, they will claim it is highly unlikely we were saved to begin with. For if we truly repented when we came to Christ we would be living like Jesus in the here and now. 

 Repentance isn't a change of mind to the legalist. Repentance is a change of lifestyle. A complete change. If we aren't living 100% morally upright it proves we were never made right with God. 

 Grace is so much better than foolishness and legalism. We received new life in Christ by freely trusting in Christ alone. We have been delivered from spiritual death and now possess eternal life. Once we possess this gift of eternal life it is ours forever and cannot be lost. This is what it means to be saved.

 In summation, follow Grace in its fullness and relinquish foolish pseudo-grace and legalism. Don't allow these false ideas of man to take root in your thinking. Instead, stay with the Word, with the Gospel of Grace and the Finished Work of Christ. Grace is amazing and needs no mixture or additives. 


Image by Shaarc from Pixabay 

Monday, November 21, 2022

Grace, Foolishness, or Legalism: Grace and Law?

 For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) Romans 5:17 AMPC

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ...2 Corinthians 8:9a MEV 

 We've begun a series examining the practical aspects of living the Christian life under Grace. The premise of this study is in the form of a question. We are asking if we are walking in true Grace or foolishness or legalism in the practical areas of the Christian life. 

 We have looked at the areas of our understanding of the Christian Faith. We have looked at not throwing stones at others for their convictions. We have looked at what makes Grace so amazing and what diminishes it. 

 Today, it seems good to examine the Law and its place in the life of the Christian. Because the Gospel of Grace is misunderstood sometimes, the Church, the Body of Christ, sadly likes to incorporate aspects of the Law in their lives and ministries. Legalism, therefore, becomes a stronghold rooted in the minds of many.

 What's truly sad is how so many are oblivious to the amount of legalism in their thinking and approach to God. You may ask what about the foolish-minded and Law? The foolish understanding of Law and Grace can quickly be remedied by allowing the Scripture to have the final say.

 What I mean is, the foolish understand the stronghold of Law mixture, so basically they just dismiss any and all commands or any discipleship, or spiritual growth principles. If they ignore it all they won't have any stronghold of legalism. We have the commandment of Love in the New Covenant. We have principles of growth Paul laid out for us. These are not legalistic or burdensome. 

 Loving God and others is a blessing because we first know and understand God loves us and has poured out His Love upon us and within us. This answers the foolish-minded response to Law. Again the legalistic approach being such a stronghold needs much teaching so believers would gain a clear and unobstructed and uncorrupted understanding of the Gospel.  

 One mistaken concept the legalists embrace is that they see every single teaching of Jesus as a New Covenant principle. Not rightly dividing Jesus' words, they mistake the messages for the Nation of Israel, the messages to the lost, this world system, and His expounding and explaining the Law as commands addressed to us, the Church. Christ did speak New Covenant truths. Christ did speak to the Children of Israel. Christ did give warnings to the lost. Christ did preach the fullness of the Law. Which is why we must rightly divide His teachings.

 So when Jesus gives us the total weight of the Law, proving to all mankind our lost condition and need for a Savior, legalism draws the wrong conclusion. They claim Grace has a higher standard of conduct than Law. More clearly stated, they are saying under Grace there are stricter moral commandments than even the 613 commands of the Mosaic Law. 

 When Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, expounded on the Ten Commandments, He was showing Israelites and future peoples, both Jew and Gentile alike that God's standard is absolute perfection. He was revealing to whosoever has ears to hear, that here is the end of your proverbial rope. This is the end of your performance. Jesus was saying, Guess what! Your goodness, your conduct, your behavior, and your performance will never be enough!

 Grace brings us to a place where we truly see our broken and faulty condition before a thrice Holy God. No, not to judge, not to condemn, not to castigate, but to bring us to a place where we can fully receive Grace. As experts tell us, you can't save a drowning man who is still fighting. God gives Grace to the humble, those who have come to an end of themselves, that is, their efforts attempting to appease and please God in their own strength.

Throughout the Scripture we see God rejecting the proud but giving Grace to the humble. God accepted Abel's offering but rejected Cain's. Abel offered it in Faith, which means he was humble before God whereas Cain was not.  

 Another mistaken concept legalism embraces, which in turn strengthens the rooted stronghold in their thinking, is their misunderstanding of the place the Law has today. Countless times I have encountered the legalists who respond to the proclamation of the Gospel of Grace claiming we as the Church are still under the Law because Jesus said He came not to abolish the Law. Therefore, they conclude the Gospel of Grace is a false gospel. Failing to rightly divide Jesus' words and actually ignoring the full passage, they cling to one phrase and ignore the complete text.

17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish, but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one dot or one mark will pass from the law until all be fulfilled.  Matthew 5:17-18 MEV

 Jesus truly stated He hadn't come to abolish the Law. However, let's actually read what He said. He said He didn't come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill. Jesus was foreshadowing His coming work of Grace on the Cross. 

 Grace doesn't say the Law has been abolished. Grace doesn't say because we aren't under Law we can now freely steal from our neighbors, lie, covet their possessions, and commit adultery. Jesus fulfilled the Law on our behalf, pouring out His Love upon us and within us. We don't need a list of do's and don'ts to walk in love with others. 

 By fulfilling the Law and the Prophets, Jesus met every requirement justice demanded. Jesus completed the work on our behalf. We can freely receive His Righteousness because Jesus' performance was perfect and provides us all the benefits of right standing, acceptance, and approval with a Loving Father. 

 Legalism produces the confusing and corrupted cocktail of Law and Grace mixture. Legalism says yes receive what Jesus did, but it's still insufficient to find perfect acceptance and approval with the Father. You are still required to meet the standards of the Law, of course, picking and choosing which of the 613 are relevant to keep and observe. 

  Grace says Jesus' work was enough. Grace says When He said it was Finished, He didn't say to be continued, to be perfected, to be completed by our works, our actions, our behavior, or our observance of aspects of the Mosaic Law. Grace says Jesus perfectly fulfilled the Law on our behalf, therefore we are perpetual right standing and acceptance and approval before God our Father.

 In summation, let's stay with Grace. Let's fully embrace the Gospel and allow the truth of Grace to uproot any strongholds of legalistic thinking. It is done, Jesus is enough!


Image by succo from Pixabay 

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Grace, Foolishness, or Legalism: What's so Amazing about Grace?

 For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) Romans 5:17 AMPC

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ...2 Corinthians 8:9a MEV

 We've begun a new series examining the practical Christian life lived under Grace. The practical Christian life is expressed in our thinking, our believing, our words, and our daily actions. We've established there are three basic ways of living in light of Grace; abiding under true Grace, abiding under Grace mixed with legalism, or abiding with a foolish understanding of Grace. 

 Let's look at what's so amazing about Grace. Words cannot always contain and express the wonder of His Grace when received in our hearts. We who once served our Lord Jesus in rigorous toil, hoping we'd be good enough to be accepted and approved on a daily basis, can now rest in His completed work on our behalf. 

 When we receive the free gift of eternal life in Christ, that is a time of rejoicing. Yet afterward, some believers struggle with the shame and pain of their past. Still, others, find themselves struggling with bad habits and attitudes that aren't of Love, and often find themselves laboring under condemnation.  

 Grace is so amazing because He stoops down right where we are and lifts us up to Himself. He doesn't wag His finger at us. His arms aren't crossed in displeasing disappointment. Instead, His arms are open wide receiving and accepting us and approving us to the Father. Not because of any good we've done but because of His Goodness and great Grace.

 Legalism sees Grace as momentarily amazing. This lost sinner with no hope of pardon for his many sins finds help and hope in a loving Holy God. He saves them gloriously. What a time of rejoicing. Then the party concludes and now it is time to get busy earning your place in the Father's house.

 Legalism diminishes Grace in favor of our performance, our achievements, and our disciplines exercised perfectly. Grace got us in but it's our actions and behavior that keep us in. Legalism seeks acceptance and approval on what we do and not on what He did alone.

 Legalism is like getting an invitation to a billionaire king's festive at-home reception. Once you have your invitation and enter the palace, you make merry momentarily that you are there but then you quickly begin straightening up the furniture, go help clean the dishes, prepare hor d'oeuvres, and sweep and mop the floors. After all, you're not a celebrity, you were a nobody before the invite, you best earn your place. Before Christ, we were lost and separated by sin, but His Grace remade us new and now we are accepted and approved all because of Jesus.

 Foolishness states no one was ever lost. No human was ever separated or apart from God because of their sinful condition. Some go so far as to say there never was any sinful condition. We were only separated in our thinking. The enemy lied to us telling us we were lost but in reality, we never were. If this is so why the need for the Cross? If this is true, Jesus' suffering, the stripes He took, and the death He died were a colossal waste of time. 

 The fallacy of the foolish-minded is that they believe they are proclaiming Grace but in reality, they are diminishing the impact of His Love, mercy, and Grace. If no one was an enemy of God, no one was lost, no one was born with a fallen nature, and no one was dead in their trespass and sins, then what is so amazing about Grace? 

 It is of no real consequence to show kindness, mercy, grace, and compassion to a good and decent person. How hard is it to forgive your spouse, your children, and your good friend if they make a minimal mistake? Even a stranger in public who mistakenly bumps into us, we are quick to pardon them and assure them it's ok, we know it was a mistake. 

 If God looks at men the same way, then the foolish's theory and theology unwittingly reveal God's Grace is not that amazing. I can hold no grudge against a friend or loved one. I myself can be merciful to someone who hasn't really wronged me. I myself can show Grace to someone who is a good person. It's clear if you ponder and consider that if one isn't really bad then it's not so amazing, so worthy of awe, so deserving of accolades to simply be kind to them. 

 The foolish relies heavily on human rationale, reasoning, and ratiocination. It draws conclusions, not from the Word of God, not from the Gospel proclaimed by Paul, but from emotional and intellectual reasoning. Allow me to illustrate.

 The Gospel says God is always Good. He is Love and merciful and His Grace is amazing. The foolish then rationalize and reason, God is Good, so He was always Good. Therefore no human was ever born lost or with a sinful nature. God is Love so therefore God could never have any anger or judgment whatsoever. God's Grace is amazing, so everyone must be saved, no one was ever lost either because Grace would never allow that to happen. The enemy must have lied to people to convince them they were. 

 None of these ideas or notions has any confirmation in Scripture. Because of this, the foolish rationalize the passages that proclaim the contrary aren't really true. Those words recorded were by men who didn't have an understanding of God and therefore we can reject them. 

 I trust you can see how the foolish misunderstand Grace and prop up mistaken ideas that are not confirmed with the authority of Scripture. Let's not diminish and dilute Grace by thinking we are preaching Grace by saying no one was lost or born in sin, or an enemy of God in our thinking and actions. 

This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Colossians 1:21 NLT

 We don't make Grace great by diminishing its impact on humanity. By proclaiming no one was ever separated in sin, or in need of a Savior we dilute and decrease the amazing Grace of our Savior. Grace is a free gift offered to all. It reveals our impossibly lost condition and offers a hopeful, freeing, and joyful way out. Grace says your sins may be many, your condition may be spiritual death, but I have a new life, the God kind of Life, that is freely yours if you simply accept and receive it. 

 Allow me to illustrate even further how Grace and legalism and foolishness can be seen using a real-life figure in history. Adolf Hitler, the German Chancellor, systematically brought about genocide, great suffering, and war across Europe during his reign until his death. Now imagine if Hitler had been captured alive and placed before a tribunal judge who had the power to imprison and execute Hitler or simply pardon him. 

 Imagine if you will while Hitler stood before this judge, suddenly a Jewish man entered the court and ask to appear on Hitler's behalf. Imagine if this Jewish man said though this man's sin is heinous, horrendous, and has brought about unspeakable horror, I'd like to take his place. I will take his punishment of death upon myself, he need simply to accept it. The innocent would freely take the place of the guilty. This is true Grace.

 Legalism would look like this, I will take his place either in a prison cell, or an execution chamber, but first I want him to earn this favor. If he promises to not make any more mistakes, not hate anymore, not try to conquer neighboring lands then and only then will I take his place. If he fails more than once, then impose the sentence of death upon him again. 

 Foolishness would look like this, Hitler guilty? What's wrong with you judge? No one can really be that bad. Hitler wasn't really that terrible a person. Surely, we've all made mistakes in life, there is no difference, and all mistakes are the same. I don't think any good judge would hold anyone accountable for their deeds. Any good judge would pardon everyone no matter what. In fact, if you find him guilty, he will be pardoned soon after, for all are pardoned...

 In summation, let's abide under true Grace and relinquish the bonds of legalism and the error of the foolish. Let's continue under Grace. Let's live life loved by our Great Shepherd Jesus Christ.  

 

Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay

Monday, November 7, 2022

Grace, Foolishness, or legalism: Reformation, Reconstruction or Deconstruction?

For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) Romans 5:17 AMPC

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ...2 Corinthians 8:9a MEV

 We've begun a series studying the practical aspects of the Christian life lived under Grace. We are examining various areas of our lives and asking ourselves a question. Are we under Grace or are we walking in foolishness or legalism? 

 Let's again define our terms so there is no miscommunication.  Legalism is excessive adherence to Law or some formula, with the goal of achieving greater acceptance, approval, favor, love, and earned blessings from God. Foolishness means to proceed with folly, being void of understanding and sound judgment, foolishness produces the perversion and/or corruption of the genuine. 

 Grace is the Good News Gospel of Jesus and His Finished Work. When God opened the eyes of a megachurch pastor in Singapore the Grace Reformation swept the lands. God restored the Gospel of Jesus. It was pure Jesus from beginning to end. The Grace reformation took the attention away from man's performance and ability and simply placed Jesus back into the central focus of the Gospel.

 The Grace reformation simply reminded us that God isn't mad at us. God Loves us eternally. That God in Christ has reconciled us and Jesus gave us His Righteousness as a free gift. It brought greater clarity to the Finished Work. God in Christ has forgiven us of all our sins past present and future. God has accepted and approved us because of Jesus' redemptive work and the free gift of Righteousness. His blood purchased eternal redemption for all who believe therefore we are eternally secure. This is the Grace reformation.

 Legalism, birthed from the traditions of men, has instead attempted to reconstruct the Gospel. They add other steps we must take in order to find divine acceptance. Paul simply said believe in Jesus and you will be saved.  Legalism says that's not enough. We must first commit to God that we will cease all our wrongdoing and feel guilt and sorrow for our life choices and then turn away from our sin, then and only then will God save you. 

 Some other groups even insist we go back to observing Mosaic Laws and customs and the feast days. As if observing Passover, Pentecost, or Tabernacles will cause us to become more spiritual or create a greater power within us and greater intimacy with God. The Gospel stands alone from man's works and tradition. The Gospel doesn't need reconstructing.

 For the foolish, many have adopted the deconstruction concept concerning the Gospel. While it is true that we can gain greater insight and greater understanding by asking hard questions, deconstruction never stops there. Deconstruction ultimately wrecks and tears down the fundamentals of the Gospel in exchange for that which is more palatable to modern progressive mindsets.

 I have observed multiple supposed believers who have ascribed to this notion of deconstruction over several years. I have also witnessed whole churches and ministries embrace deconstruction. What is the end result? Without fail, the vast majority so far deconstruct the Gospel so that they end up sunk in the mire of agnosticism, atheism, and postmodernism. 

 I have seen believers fall away, churches close their doors, and ministries fold as they embrace this foolish idea of deconstruction. Of those churches and ministries that yet remain, I chuckle at the hypocrisy as they backtrack on deconstructing one aspect of the Christian Faith. They were quick to deconstruct the inerrancy of Scripture, the need to read the Word, the concept of personal faith, eternal judgment, and fellowshipping of the saints (involvement in a local church.)

 Many were also quick to deconstruct the principle of giving. Suddenly the church leaders and ministries promoting this foolish message found themselves unable to get a salary from their church or ministry as people quit giving. They quickly retracted much of what they proclaimed about giving. 

 Deconstruction seeks to form and fashion a god of man's own design. This god almost always confirms to modern progressive man's views and beliefs without objection. This god alters and updates its beliefs as the modern age changes theirs. 

 Deconstruction is not about simply seeking understanding for hard questions. It seeks to dismantle and demolish the basics of the Christian Faith. It denies the Bible as being God's Word. It pushes the concepts of universalism/inclusionism. It denies the existence of an eternal Hell and any form of future judgment from God. It also promotes the concept that going to church or being involved in church is somehow a burden and a work. 

 In summation, reconstruction and deconstruction are not the Gospel. They are man's attempt at creating a god fashioned from their own design. The Gospel is Good news. The Gospel is so good it needs no help from man to "finish" it or make it more palatable. Let's abide under Pure Grace, not foolishness or legalism.


Image courtesy of Idea go at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Grace, Foolishness or Legalism?

For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) Romans 5:17 AMPC

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ...2 Corinthians 8:9a MEV

 We're going to start a new study. This study will be introduced in the form of a question. We are asking ourselves how we are living our Christian life in the practical, everyday issues of life. The question we are asking is are we operating in Grace, foolishness, or legalism? 

 Let's begin by defining our terms so there is no confusion. Let's start with legalism. In general, most Christians believe they know what legalism is. Even the religious traditional minded claim to know what it is, but sometimes they can't see it in their own actions or thinking. 

  Legalism is excessive adherence to Law or some formula, with the end goal to achieve greater acceptance, approval, favor, and love from God. Those captured by legalism, are strongly persuaded that strict adherence to the formula, the Law, and the principle alone will earn them blessings and benefits from the Father. Legalism is the default setting in man, which is why we should be aware of our motives in living the Christian life.

 As for foolishness, it may seem foolish, pardon the pun, to be aware of this way of thinking and believing, but it's something we must guard against. Foolishness means to proceed with folly, being void of understanding and sound judgment, being unwise, impudent, and thoughtless. Foolishness concerning Grace and the New Covenant is rooted in all these things which then produce the perversion and/or corruption of the genuine. We must guard against this in our thinking and believing.

 What is Grace? Grace is the Good News Gospel of Jesus Christ. Grace is the unearned, undeserved, unmerited favor of God. When Grace is received freely and fully it brings a divine influence on the heart. 

 Grace is a gift, it's not a wage earned. If something begins with do this, cease that, give this much, then it's not a gift but a wage being earned. Anything that points to one's achievements or to one's many failures is not Grace, but an evaluation of work performed or underperformed. When the focus rests solely on Jesus Christ and His performance, His becoming a curse to redeem us from the curse, His perfect obedience, and Finished Work then you're receiving a gift, then you're abiding under Grace.

 Too often in the Christian life, the portrait is painted that we as children of God are always falling short of His glory. We are missing the mark more than we should. We must find and detect and correct our disobedient ways. Then Father God will finally be pleased with us. Then our Father will hear and answer our prayers. Then He will turn His face toward us. Then He will provide for us, heal us, and bring protection and deliverance to us. Brothers and sisters this isn't the Gospel of Grace, this is the bad news of wage-earning religious tradition.

 With the understanding of our terms let's begin seeing how this is applied in our walk with God in light of hearing the Gospel of Grace. We will begin examining practical areas of our lives and see if we can locate where we are in our understanding of the Gospel. Since this is the introductory lesson we can begin with something simple.

 Being this is the end of October 2022 as of this writing, we have an issue that can easily help locate us in Grace. In a few days, it will be Halloween. This can be a contentious issue among some believers. Personally, I don't "celebrate" Halloween. Not for any spiritual issues, it's simply that I am an adult and I've always felt Halloween is very childish. 

 For some though Halloween is a serious issue. Due to the occultic practices associated with the history of this day, some say it shouldn't be celebrated by Christians. What does Grace say?

 God through Paul tells us all things are lawful but not all things are profitable. As for actual pagan practices like seances or other powerless counterfeits, surely we as Christians know we have free access to our Father we need no silly ceremony. That said what about the holiday in general?

 Legalism looks like this if I decorate my yard with pumpkins, or give candy to trick or treaters then God will be mad at me. Legalism says to the parent praying for a blessing of some kind, I better not take little Johnny trick or treating or I won't receive. Legalism brings fear of punishment.

 Foolishness looks at the holiday and says I am going to celebrate all the darkness I want I am free to do whatever I want. Foolishness will look down upon other Christians who for their own reasons don't celebrate the holiday. They will chide and even mock them for not being "free." Foolishness takes the cloak of freedom and uses it to indulge the flesh and disregards any leading from the Spirit.

 Grace says God loves us whether we "celebrate" this holiday or not. Grace says follow your conscience on this issue. Grace says follow Christ's Word for you. Grace says be a good witness of Grace to others.

 One thing to note. October 31st is also Reformation Day. This is the day Martin Luther pinned the 95 theses on the door of castle church in Germany. The enemy may want to magnify occultism, witchcraft, and scary things on Oct 31, but God magnifies the message of Grace, that we are justified by Faith alone not by works. 

 In summation, let's celebrate Grace. Let's be aware of our motives in our daily life. Let's give place to Grace. Grace is the Gospel and Good News!

 

Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay