Romans 5:8 But God commended His Love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

Every born-again Christian wants to please God. We want to live our lives in such a way that God is pleased with us so that one day we will hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23) While we all want this, we struggle to attain it because instead of resting in the Love of God and the Grace of our Savior, we are constantly fighting the attack of the enemy in our minds.

 

The Apostle Paul fought this battle and he wrote about it in his letter to the Romans. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the Law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. (Romans 7:15-20) It is obvious that Paul really struggled with this and so do most born-again believers.

 

Jesus went to the Cross to fulfill the Law of Moses. All the rules and regulations of the Old Covenant would no longer be relevant in the lives of people. Rather, under the New Covenant, the Grace of God would now be the ruling factor.

 

We all want to do what is right, and we should. The people in the Old Covenant days wanted to do what was right too but to do that, they had to keep all the Law which they could not do. Therefore, they lived in fear every day hoping God would accept their sacrifices and find them worthy.

 

The fear of God’s Love and acceptance is actually what Jesus came to do away with. God loves us. He sent His Son to die for our sins. When we believe this and place our faith in the Finished Work of Christ on the Cross, we can step out from under the heavy veil of the Law and into the Light of the Mercy and Grace of Jesus.

 

We know that the Word of God tells us HOW to live our lives pleasing to God and we all want to do this. So, the question is not “HOW to live for God” the question is “WHY are we trying to live for God.” Step back and examine your motive for doing what is right. WHY are you trying to do what the Word of God says is right?

 

There are two answers to this question. We either feel like we “have to” do what is right (fear) or we “want to” do what is right (faith). The Law says we “have to.” Grace says we “want to.” Paul put it like this: Who also made us sufficient as ministers of the New Covenant, not the letter (the Law) but of the Spirit; for the letter (the Law) kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:6)

 

When we set aside all fear of the Law, we can walk in the Spirit of Freedom through faith. Then we will know the Love, Peace and Joy of the Lord and we will do what is right simply because we want to. True Freedom comes through our faith in the Finished Work of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary.

 

Freedom in Christ Crucified will cast out all fear and ……….turn the tide……..in your life.

 

I want to,         Doreen

 

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