Living By Faith

"But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith." ~Galatians 3:11

The words "the just shall live by faith" are first seen in Habakkuk 2:4.  They are seen again in Romans 1:7; again in Hebrews 11 and here in Galatians. 

Martin Luther beat his body until it was blood soaked.  He crawled up stairs laiden with broken glass... on his knees!.  He fasted relentlessly.  All this in an effort to get close to God.  Nothing worked.  And then one day Luther read this verse -- and he understood that the Christian experience is not, "Do, do, do" -- it's "Done!"  Jesus did it all.  We must rid ourselves of the burden of trying to be spiritual.  Get rid of the notion that since you had morning devotions ten times in a row, God owes you a blessing.  Stop thinking that God will give you this or that as a result of the fact that you've read your Bible every day for the last month! It doesn't work that way.  You are justified by faith...  and faith alone.

You don't have to do morning devotions.  You don't have to pray or study the Word.  You don't have to attend church.

You don't have to do any of these things.  You get to.

You get to check in with God morning by morning, moment by moment.  You get to spend time late at night or before the sun rises, seeking the face of the Lord.  You get to fellowship with other believers at the church of your choice.  It's not got to, it's get to.  And that makes all the difference in the world, for once you're free from the "got to's," you will absolutely do more than you ever did before.

James said, "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:20) because true faith will always bring about lots of works.  The more I realize that He loves me by His grace and mercy being poured out upon me, the more I have no choice but to love Him in return.  So I do more under love than I ever would do under the law.

When you understand grace and mercy, you say, "You bless me Lord, when I don't pray.  You love me when I'm not lovable.  You take care of me when I fail to walk with You.  You're faithful to me day after week after year.  I want to find out more about you."  That's what it means for the just to live by faith.

Defensiveness

Defensiveness

One of the dictionary definitions for a barometer is that it is 'an indicator'. So any time we sense defensiveness in ourselves or in others, it is a barometer indicating pride or immaturity.

You cannot become defensive if you are going to exhibit humility and Christ-likeness.

You cannot become defensive if we are going to be teachable and taught by the Lord.

You cannot be defensive if pastors, elders, and other believers are to have their proper place in our spiritual growth.

An honest and valid question-- Am I a defensive person?

If we get defensive when others point something out in our lives, then we are still immature to some extent.

Defensiveness is rooted in pride and prejudice.

Not being willing to be corrected is defensiveness rooted in pride.

Racism or Reverse-racism is defensiveness, rooted in holding on to racism because you don't want to let it go as a defense mechanism.

Defensiveness rears its ugly head whenever anyone touches a nerve in my soul, possibly exposing that I could be wrong about something.

Defensiveness is that feeling I get when anyone challenges me on something, possibly exposing that I have blind spots they see that I don't see.

Defensiveness shows itself in touchiness when anyone disagrees with me in any way.

If I am defensive, pride is raising its head in me.

If I am defensive, I still think I know better than anyone who disagrees with me.

If I am defensive, I still am, to some real degree, unteachable.

If I am defensive, I am revealing an inner attitude that I could not be wrong.

If another Christian or one of my pastors, comes to me to share something they feel is a need in my life, do I respond with defensiveness or do I quietly listen, truly hear what they are saying and make sure I understand it, and thank them for coming, and then examine myself before the Lord to receive what He wants for me? If I do, that is maturity and Christ-likeness. How I respond at those times will make all the difference between real growth and change or not.

If I am defensive when another brother or sister in Christ says something I don't agree with, I am showing that I am still trying to live like an island, separating myself from the body, asserting my carnal independence from the body, and thus from the Head as well.

Defensiveness is so ingrained in us, it's almost like breathing--we exhibit it even when we don't know it if we get challenged, corrected, or rebuked; it is ugly, immaturity in action, and pride holding forth its inglorious presence.

When I am defensive, I am far from being like the Lord Jesus right then. May God save me from this wicked and ongoing evil. Jesus was never defensive one time in his life, not even once. And He is calling me to put it off, die to self daily, and become defenseless, with all my defense being in Him alone.

-- Mack Tomlinson