Last night, 8/29/07, I had a unique experience happen to me. My Pastor taught on the second chapter of Galatians.
Gal. 2:4 states, "And because of false brethern unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our
liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage." Paul went on to make several points:
1. Titus, who was a Gentile did not feel compelled to be circumsized like his Jewish brethern.
2. Peter and the Jewish brethern gave Paul and the Gentile brethern the right hand of fellowhsip only asking them to remember the poor[Gal.2:10],
3. and, Paul confronted/called Peter out for pressuring James in the fact that James [a Jew] was eating and fellowshipping with the the Gentiles until Peter and the other Jewish brethern showed up on the scene. James then separated himself from the Gentiles and isolated himself so as not to be identified with them.
Paul then preached a sermon that struck a chord within my being.
Gal. 2:19-21 says, "For I am crucifed with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if righteousness came by the law, then Christ died in vain."
All my life I have felt PRESSURED to do this, not do that, and to measaure up to a standard set for me by others who could not live up to their own standards. Like the Jews who were given ten commandments from God, the Jews added more commandments/rules/laws to protect those laws, and then added other laws on top of those to protect the ones they just made until...there were so many laws that no one could abide by them all...althought the Pharisees did their best. Jesus condemned and chastized the Pharisees on many occasions because all the law did was create pride built on works/appearance; one man's works being measured against another's...so they coudl say
"Look at me: I am holier than ye all."
I was baptized when I was 11 years old because I was pressured to do so ... I was told that I could not go to youth camp, even though I had won the Peanut Brittle contest to pay my way. Back then the three step program was in place, and now there are 7 steps, and even others have more than that. They have added so many rules/laws/and steps that the message of Grace is lost to the common man. It is wrapped in layers of traditions/legalism.
I said all this to say: I made and ADULT choice last night to be baptized in Jesus name for the remission of my sins and thank God for the gift of his grace...I accept that GRACE with all my heart. I will never go back to the blame/shame/ and legalism that I was raised in and I am free to practice the liberty which Christ died that I could have.
Just wanted to share this wonderful experience.
Blessings, Rhoni
Testimony of Grace
Threaded Mode
