The Plumbline

Are you so foolish and senseless? Having begun [your new life by faith] with the Spirit, are you now being perfected and reaching spiritual maturity by the flesh [that is, by your own works and efforts to keep the Law]? (Galatians 3:3) Thinking we can 'improve upon' what grace has accomplished in our lives is one of the most 'over-practiced' things in the church today. Our new life in Christ is never 'improved upon' by our own works or efforts to be 'good' children. In fact, the over-emphasis on 'doing' instead of 'becoming' is actually a trap the enemy uses to keep us from 'becoming' who God created us to be. Too many times, we emphasize what it is a Christian 'does' instead of focusing on who that Christian is in Christ Jesus. We are called to live holy lives, but that doesn't mean we get to the place of holiness by doing a passel of good works! For you [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually tra...

There are certainly times when we feel we have some form of an enemy breathing down our neck and to be honest here, we just want to run like a crazy person from the "threat" we feel. In a literal sense, we have very real enemies who come against us, determined to make life miserable for us. In a spiritual sense, we have one really big enemy - Satan. In an emotional sense, we have lots of enemies, such as fear, pride, and lust. Regardless of the enemy we face today, we need to hear the words: The closer they get to us, the farther they are from the truth God reveals when we draw closer to him ! The way we don't succumb to their attack is by drawing closer to God while under attack! As those out to get me come closer and closer, they go farther and farther from the truth you reveal; but you're the closest of all to me, God, and all your judgments true. I've known all along from the evidence of your words that you meant them to last forever. (Psalm 119:150-152) The ...