Spirit or Law?

You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Galatians 3:1-5

So… you think religious ritual is what God wants? Or just strict adherence to rules? Is that what you want from your children and grandchildren? Where does love enter the situation of religious ritual and adherence to rules? Why do we automatically fall back into this wrong way of thinking and habits? When did the Holy Spirit have the greatest effect in your life? Was it when you were ‘perfect’ in all your ways? Or did He come and visit you in spite of your sin and stubbornness?

So how do we maintain this ‘life with the Holy Spirit’? How do I make myself ready to ‘hear’ Him at all times? This is a choice we make – many times throughout our day. Where is our focus? Where is our heart … towards Him? Where is our conversation (prayer) with Him in our day? Is your heart tender towards Him? Do you honestly want to surrender to Him … over and over during your day? Do you want to engage with Him in conversation? Do you seek Him out with your questions… about everything in your life? Do you seek His advice and counsel?

Oh… the tender heart of God towards you! The Father’s love so wants to invade your entire being and life! Jesus … your best friend wants to hang out with you! The Holy Spirit … wants to fill you with His Presence, and beautiful fruit!  This is NOT a religious thing. It is an intimate relationship … thing! This is what we were made for!

This isn’t about striving. This isn’t about being as perfect as you can be in your own mind. This is about really accepting His love for you in the deepest realms of your soul! Realizing that there is NOTHING you can do to earn His love for you! He JUST loves YOU! It is about finally giving in – and realizing that ONLY through Him you have … real life. Anything and everything… good… is from Him. Can you just allow Him to … love you? Ask Him about it.

What most religious law keeping does is focus everything on our own interpretation of what we think is ‘perfect’. We spin in our own little ‘hamster wheel’ trying to get there … but we never arrive, but we think our ‘running’ in circles is somehow worth something. Stop. Do you really love Him? Then confess that! Tell Him! Out loud! You’ll be amazed how this helps. From the deepest part of you soul … speak your love for Him! Surrender to the Holy Spirit and invite Him to move in your heart.

Father … YOUR love conquers ALL! Jesus … YOU paid it ALL for me?!! Holy Spirit … YOU are so gentle and loving with me. I so want to be with YOU!

Come Lord Jesus … I bow my knees to YOU! Your love for me is beyond my understanding.