LOVE NOTE TO THE LEGALIST
Put the gavel down. There is one judge. I trust this will be a de-stress-a-tizer for you. It is a full time job to be continually measuring others to a standard that boast of such superior discipline and incredible devotion unlike any other. What weight you must carry and cast upon others. His yoke is easy and His burden it is light. The Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
We quench the Spirit when love is not our motive. He will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on Him. In order for our minds to be stayed on HIM, we would definetely need to take our mind and eyes off of ourself, and stop obsessing about what we are doing or not doing. Our righteousnes is as filthy rags. There are no exceptions. Unless our righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and pharisees we will in no wise enter the Kingdom of Heaven. There is no one good, no not one. Man looks at the outside, God looks on the heart.
Your "to do" list keeps one so busy "doing" so much that "knowing and loving" God could never be a possibility, no time for intimacy. Intimacy involves trust and love. Trusting that God is the perfect sacrafice for not only our sins, but the sins of the whole world. The Lord's instruction is this, "Fear God, keep His commands, this is the whole duty of a man." His commandments are not burdensome or grievious. "All the law and the profits hang on these two things..." loving God completely, loving man deeply.
Though it can be beneficial to point out handfuls of scriptures to all who cross your path, keep in mind even satan himself is familiar with the text and probably knows more of it than you or I. You appear to be a sharp-shooter to most, always talking about humbling yourself, expert in greek and hebrew, fasting and praying more than anyone else you know (and this you boast of). Well I think that every one would agree you do appear to be --- holy. God says, "BE YE HOLY AS I AM HOLY." He is ever merciful, kind to the evil and to the unthankful. He does not treat us as our sins deserve. He is not the accuser of the brethren. His love is not a bunch of ultimatums. His love is prodigal son, living with the pigs, spent all the money on wordly pleasures, but my arms are wide open and I'll leave the light on and be looking and waiting to give you all I have and celebrate your return. (Love, Dad)
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."
I Corinthians 13:1-3
In closing, imagine what would happen if you spent all the time and energy you do telling people what their secret sins are, and what they should or should not be doing in your estimation, and instead preach the GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. (Which is the power to save) Judging nothing or no one according to the flesh any longer. Examine yourself to make sure you are still in the faith and have not disconnected yourself from the head, Jesus Christ. Most of all KEEP YOURSELF IN THE LOVE OF GOD. It is the kindness of God that leads to repentence...
We quench the Spirit when love is not our motive. He will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is stayed on Him. In order for our minds to be stayed on HIM, we would definetely need to take our mind and eyes off of ourself, and stop obsessing about what we are doing or not doing. Our righteousnes is as filthy rags. There are no exceptions. Unless our righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and pharisees we will in no wise enter the Kingdom of Heaven. There is no one good, no not one. Man looks at the outside, God looks on the heart.
Your "to do" list keeps one so busy "doing" so much that "knowing and loving" God could never be a possibility, no time for intimacy. Intimacy involves trust and love. Trusting that God is the perfect sacrafice for not only our sins, but the sins of the whole world. The Lord's instruction is this, "Fear God, keep His commands, this is the whole duty of a man." His commandments are not burdensome or grievious. "All the law and the profits hang on these two things..." loving God completely, loving man deeply.
Though it can be beneficial to point out handfuls of scriptures to all who cross your path, keep in mind even satan himself is familiar with the text and probably knows more of it than you or I. You appear to be a sharp-shooter to most, always talking about humbling yourself, expert in greek and hebrew, fasting and praying more than anyone else you know (and this you boast of). Well I think that every one would agree you do appear to be --- holy. God says, "BE YE HOLY AS I AM HOLY." He is ever merciful, kind to the evil and to the unthankful. He does not treat us as our sins deserve. He is not the accuser of the brethren. His love is not a bunch of ultimatums. His love is prodigal son, living with the pigs, spent all the money on wordly pleasures, but my arms are wide open and I'll leave the light on and be looking and waiting to give you all I have and celebrate your return. (Love, Dad)
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."
I Corinthians 13:1-3
In closing, imagine what would happen if you spent all the time and energy you do telling people what their secret sins are, and what they should or should not be doing in your estimation, and instead preach the GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. (Which is the power to save) Judging nothing or no one according to the flesh any longer. Examine yourself to make sure you are still in the faith and have not disconnected yourself from the head, Jesus Christ. Most of all KEEP YOURSELF IN THE LOVE OF GOD. It is the kindness of God that leads to repentence...
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