July 24: Disposition and Deeds

How I pity the legalists! Imagine how tiring it must be to try to remember thousands of rules that one must obey in order to be righteous. It's a wonder that they have the strength to face a new day with the weight of such stoic "right-doing" weighing heavily on their shoulders. That doesn't even consider how much effort must be spent constantly judging how other people's actions measure up to their particular doctrine.

Now observe the freedom of the one who strives for "right-being." Their one goal at the start of each day is to know Jesus more, because they have learned, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free!" Matthew 8:32. They have hidden The Word in their hearts, because the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double edge sword...it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart, Hebrews 4:12. Each day they walk burden-free, knowing that the Lord is kind, and as soon as He hears your cries for help, He will come.... now you will again see the Lord, your teacher, and he will guide you. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, "This is the road! Now follow it." Isaiah 30:19-21 CEV.

I totally agree with Chambers that "the great marvel of Jesus Christ's salvation is that He alters heredity." Human nature, the genetics of mankind, punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generations. Exodus 34:7 Fortunately, "He alters its mainspring." My biological father is a pathological liar. Although my girls have never even met this man, they, like their mother, were born liars. How amazing that He has lifted this generational curse from us as we devote ourselves to him. (Never underestimate the power of prayer!)