DO CHRISTIANS HAVE RULES?

In  Paul's letter to the Galatians, Chapter  3, beginning with verse 14, it reads, "Christ redeemed us  in order that the blessing given to Abraham (in the Old Testament, "Blessed is the man of faith") , the blessing might come to the Gentiles (non-Jews) through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit."


Study/ "The promise of God to Abraham was to be saved by faith, and this promise has not been revoked though thousands of years have passed.  God saved Abraham through Abraham's faith, and he blessed the world by sending Christ the Messiah as one of Abraham's descendants.  Circumstances may change, but God remains  constant and does not break His promises.  He has promised to forgive our sins through Jesus Christ, and we can be sure that He will do so.


      Although faith is the only way to be saved, the law (rules) shows how to obey God in grateful response. The more we know God, the more we see how sinful we are.  That is why we are driven to depend on our faith in Christ alone for our salvation." (end of study remarks)


We, the people of God, are not without sin.  We may obey properly the Ten Commandments, but as human beings we tend to consistently fail to be kind, cooperative, loving, thoughtful, generous and other good acts.  In fact, we are apt to be rude, self-seeking, angered, proud, thoughtless, stubborn, and much more.  All of these, God forgives, but He asks that we recognize our failures and come to Him with a repentant heart.  Our repentance is an act of loving God.  And God, loving us  in return,  asked Jesus Christ many years ago to die on a cross because of our--yours and my--sinful natures.  We are forgiven!  Thanks be to Christ!


It seems to me, being human and being Christian can only work if I am repentant  And I must not forget to be thankful, thankful to God who loved me enough to include me among those who gather in His name.


Do you know that old hymn, "Let Us Gather At the River"? the beautiful, beautiful river?  That's what is going through my mind right now. Waiting for Jesus...by the river.  Are you with me?


Jo INMN