Hooray for Grace!

 오늘의 말씀

"성경은 온 세상이 죄에 갇혀 있다는 것을 보여 주었습니다. 이는 믿음을 통한 약속을 주시기 위한 것으로 오직 예수 그리스도를 믿는 사람들만 받을 수 있습니다. 이 믿음이 오기 전에는, 우리가 율법에 갇혀 있었습니다. 하나님께서 장차 올 믿음의 길을 보여 주실 때까지 우리에게는 자유가 없었습니다. 그리스도께서 오시기 전까지는 율법이 우리의 선생이었습니다. 그러나 그리스도께서 오신 뒤에는 우리가 믿음으로 인해 의롭다 함을 받을 수 있게 되었습니다. 이제 믿음이 길이 나타났으므로, 다시는 우리가 율법에 갇혀 있을 수 없습니다. 여러분은 그리스도 예수를 믿는 믿음을 통해 하나님의 자녀가 되었습니다. 여러분은 모두 세례를 받아 그리스도와 연합하였으며, 그리스도로 옷을 삼아 입었습니다. 그리스도 안에서는 유대인이나 그리스인이나 종이나 자유인이나 남자나 여자나 차별이 없습니다. 여러분은 그리스도 예수 안에서 모두 하나입니다. 여러분은 그리스도에게 속한 사람입니다. 그러므로 여러분은 아브라함의 자손입니다. 하나님께서 아브라함에게 하신 약속대로 여러분은 하나님께서 주시는 모든 복을 받았습니다." (갈3:22-29)

Galatians 3:22-29

Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. (Gal. 3:25)

 

MY SON HAS ALWAYS been a perfectionist. When he was about nine, he decided that he would master surfing. Always about a head taller than other boys his age, his center of gravity was not particularly well located to perform this balancing act.

 

While his cousin, who was a little short for his age, was blissfully riding the waves, my son crashed and splashed, becoming increasingly frustrated. Lots of other children in the surf class were falling and fumbling too, but my son didn't notice them or the fun they seemed to be having. He eventually caught a wave but soon gave up the effort. "If I can't ride the waves, I don't want to bother," he groused. Fortunately, he outgrew the belief that he had to be perfect at doing things to enjoy them.

 

Before Jesus died on the cross, people lived under the law given to Moses by God. Perfect attitudes and behavior were required. There were rules and regulations about everything. Like my son attempting to surf, striving to live the holy life was a frustrating, defeating experience. How wonderful to live in an age free of striving and full of grace! Because of the work of Christ, we are able to live an abundant, Spirit-directed lives. Free from slavery to the law, we live joyfully in the confidence that we enjoy perfect fellowship with God.

 

Diane Markins

 

Enjoy your relationship with God today.

 

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* blissfully : extremely happy

* fumbling : awkward, uncertain or hesitating

* grouse : complain

* regulation : an official rule made by a government or some other authority

* frustrating : causing you to feel annoyed and impatient because you cannot do or achieve what you want