How Do We live This Life?

What are the things in your world, and the world at large, that cause us to think we are “not good enough” in God’s eyes?

What are the rules, that we think, God mandated for being faithful? 

And who was it that set the rules in place?  
                                                               Was it really God?

And have the rules changed in the last 2000 plus years?

No, not much has changed.

⁹ What has been is what will be,

   and what has been done is what will be done;

   there is nothing new under the sun. 

¹⁰ Is there a thing of which it is said,

   ‘See, this is new’?

It has already been,

   in the ages before us. Eccl. 1)

History repeats itself with the habits of human behavior.

The Preacher “is the primary biblical voice insisting that religion taken out of context is vanity.  He will admit to no pleasure, possession or piety to an independent existence.  He strips us of religion so we might be dressed for God.” (p. 206 As Kingfishers Catch Fire)

In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus takes one entire chapter to make clear his feeling about the religion of the Pharisees and scribes in chapter 23.

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ²‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; ³therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. ⁴They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them. ⁵They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. ⁶They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, ⁷and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have people call them rabbi…..... 13 ‘But woe to you, (Matt. 23) 

In theological circles, as well as other circles, the word religion is used over against faith. 

Religion are the rules, rituals and habits of tradition, that are place before — above — faith.

The assumption is that if we follow all these many stipulations we are being faithful. They are what we do -- are suppose to do -- to please God.  To make ourselves look good.  Most of the time we do all of these things inadvertently .

The Preacher would label these things  “All vanity and a chasing after the wind.”

Have you ever chased wind?  

                                          
 Think about it.

                         How does it work for you?

The word Jesus uses in Matthew 23 is hypocrite.  A person who says one thing and does the complete opposite.

Here is the deal:  

Following all the rules, offering sacrifices, is not what God asked of us. 

7 So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. ⁹I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. ¹⁰The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.(John 19)

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

God has gifted us with a life that is to be lived fully in His name.

How then we do we do life?

What makes us right with God?

                                              Gratitude.


Gratitude that brings joy to our living

. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.(John 16)