“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:” – Col 2:6

One symptom of a spiritual growth that is hindered is uncertainty, doubt, and confusion about how we should live.  The cause of this does not come from a lack of options or information, but from a misunderstanding of how we receive Christ in the first place.

A ‘shadow law’ is often presented to believers by some that says,

‘If we receive Christ by obedience to the ‘laws written in our hearts’ then our success will be determined by whether or not we continue in that obedience.’  Therefore, under this false notion, if we do not ‘continue’ or our effort wanes then we may become uncertain as to our standing in God’s will.’

As they fail in righteous living, some then may even begin to doubt their own salvation. After all, most would say, wouldn’t true conversion show itself in a perfect way of living? This is hardly a secure position for believers to be in.

So, Confusion Abounds because of this teaching that places so many back under the bondage of the law.

We need to heed Paul’s words,

“Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by [effort of] the flesh?” – Gal 3:2-3

Paul teaches that we do not receive the Spirit by the works of law.  Neither are we made perfect by our good works.  Instead, we receive “the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:2) ‘by faith’ when we receive Jesus Christ by His grace (Rom 5:17).

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)

It is not because of our obedience to the law that we are placed “into Christ.” It’s because of the Cross-work of Christ that we are saved.

We should be confident and avoid placing ourselves under a law system for righteousness since Christ’s righteousness has been freely given us.

“For he [The Father] hath made him [Jesus] to be sin for us, [Jesus] who knew  no sin[was not involved in sin]; [so] that we might be made the righteousness of God in him [in Jesus].” 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)

The gospel of the grace of God is pure (100%) grace,’ demanding that we lay aside our own provisions, traditions, and good works (which are filthy rags) to put our entire trust in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ... for us.

Likewise, then, our daily walk (how we live daily) should not include manmade religious ideas and traditions, law systems that lead to bondage, and the vain philosophies of religious growth and self-esteem. These are the lies of the Evil One who reigns over all the manmade religions of the world… including neo-evangelicalism we see today that requires our work in order to be secure in Christ.

Instead we should rely 100% upon the one who died for us.  He accomplished all that was needed for our salvation and all that was needed for our sanctification.  We ought to live for Him without the spirit of fear or ill consequence… because of his grace.

We were saved by grace and we walk by grace. 

Grace teaches us to live godly.  Let’s put aside forever religion’s list of ‘dos and don’ts s’ and get busy redeeming the time bringing glory to our Father.

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” – Rom 8:15