Grace For The Journey

One part of my ministry responsibilities is the privilege of performing weddings for couples in our church and community. Starting with pre-marital counseling, we spend a considerable amount of time talking together about the “stuff” of marriage and how to build a biblical foundation for the married and family life together. Sometimes I discuss the all-too-common prenuptials that many bring into their marriages today, even Christian marriages.

A “prenuptial” is defined as: “A contract entered into prior to marriage which commonly includes provisions for the division of property and spousal support in the event of divorce.”

Clearly, heading into a marriage with the end (divorce) in mind is not the way God intended for two people to become one flesh. God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16)!

I’d like to carry this concept of a prenuptial into your personal walk with Christ in order to make one thing perfectly clear: in God’s economy, love needs no legislation. This was the problem the apostle Paul faced in preaching salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Many were trying to add a requirement of obedience to Jewish law to the simple message of salvation through faith in our risen Savior.

We must remember that the law of God was never intended to cause us to live an obedient life; it was graciously given to drive us to our knees at the foot of the cross. And if the law cannot save us, it certainly cannot sanctify us and make us more like Christ! It is a growing relationship with Jesus that leads to living a life of obedience, not a growing list of rules. Love needs no legislation.

When you love the Lord Jesus Christ, your heart beats to please Him. As someone has said, “The law will tell you where the land mines are to keep from blowing yourself up, but it won’t lead you to living a life of righteousness. Only Jesus will do that!”

So . . . take some time to prayerfully consider your walk with Christ.

Is it characterized by a growing list of rules? Or a growing relationship of love?

Trying to legislate what love empowers people to do willingly is silly, foolish, and counterproductive. Keeping in view the love that was poured out for you on the cross will keep you moving in the direction of living a life that is pleasing to God and beneficial to all others.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:14, “For the love of Christ compels us …”

If we have received Jesus as Savior and Lord, we are no longer what we once were because of what He has done for us! We are a new creation, and that new creation is compelled by the love of Christ . . . not the law of God.

Christ in Us Leads To Love And Love Needs No Legislation!

This is God’s Word For Today … This Is Grace For The Journey

Rest and Rejoice in this eternal truth!

Pastor Terry

Ephesians 4:7 – “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”