The Good News from Christ…
Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matt 11:28-30)
The not-so-good news corrupted by men…
He said, “Woe to you (experts in religious law) also! For you load men with burdens that are difficult to carry, and you yourselves won’t even lift one finger to help carry those burdens. (Luke 11:46)
Works of the law and the gift of grace do not mix (they are like oil and water)…
And if it is by grace, it is no longer by works, otherwise grace would no longer be grace. (Rom 11:6)
For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came about through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17)
I do not set aside God’s grace, because if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing! (Gal 2:21)
We must be diligent to preserve the pure Gospel of Christ…
But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter… Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.” (Acts 15:5-11)
The Spirit of God will move people to receive His Word…
The Word of God is full of grace and based on the promise not the law…
The law is a tutor to lead us to Christ but the law is not the Good News…
Let’s make sure we don’t try to mix the two… law and grace are mutually exclusive…
I did not come with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. (1Co 2:1-2)
We are not ambassadors of the Goods News of God’s law…
We are ambassadors of the Good News of God’s grace…
Let no one therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day, which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s… If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why… do you subject yourselves to ordinances, “Don’t handle, nor taste, nor touch” (all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men? Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but aren’t of any value against the indulgence of the flesh. (Col 2:16-23)
About the Garden
Read More
A walk in His garden
Read More