Jim's Sunday Sermon

Jim had a GOOD sermon this morning. Made all kinds of little things click in my little old brain this morning. He'll be pleased. :)

Based on Gal. 3:10-14

10For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them." 11Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith." 12But the law is not of faith, rather "The one who does them shall live by them." 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"— 14so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

Do you see it in verse 10? For all who RELY on works of the law are under a curse.

It's the word reliance that made my little old brain click.

See.....faith is what our salvation is based on. Faith in Christ alone. That's it. BUT we are commanded of God to also work out our salvation. James tells us that faith without works is dead. So works and how we live out our faith is VERY important. it's part of being a Christian.

So I OFTEN feel like a complete failure as a Christian as I so often just see all the things that I don't do good enough, or I have false motives, or..... you know how it goes.

So then my questioning my faith is reinforced so to speak. I know that I love God. I know that he's an integral part of my life, but so often I feel like I'm possibly missing something somewhere along the line and I'm in a way just deluding myself....hence I want to "do more or at least DO better." Nasty cycle.

Anyways....Jim this morning in his sermon made a point of reinforcing this concept. that it's the reliance on obeying the law, it's the reliance of works which is the curse. We MUST not rely on the law. All that really matters is that we have faith in Christ. The rest is just window-dressing so to speak (MY words, not his). Every single part of us is infected with sin, so our works are as well....so when it really comes down to it. all that ever really ever matters is whether we have faith in the saving work of Christ.

CLICK CLICK CLICK went my little old brain. :) My faith is enough. :)