The Battle Between Law Givers and Grace Embracers

As I sit here and listen to music by Mela Kamin, my heart and mind is drawn to a place of sadness for those who continually battle with the Law. I always find it so amazing when God speaks to my heart through His musicians. In the Old Testament days of battles, it was the musicians, the worshipers, that went forth ahead of the armies of God. I don't think He is drawing me into a state of sadness within myself, but rather a realization of this battle between Law givers and those who embrace grace. 

I think of Mary, as she sat at the feet of our Messiah, worshiping him while Martha wanted Christ to give a command to Mary to help in the kitchen. I noticed something about Mary. Mary didn't argue with Martha. She didn't even respond. She sat silently, admiring the beauty of our Lord.  Did Martha not understand grace yet? Why was she so quick to be a 'law giver' to her sister who was adoring the very person of grace?

Then her brother, Lazarus, was laid to rest in his grave. Now, Martha is frantic wondering why Jesus wasn't there. Jesus waits a couple more days before coming to see these sisters. Upon His arrival, Martha questions him. It seems as though she doubts his love for them. Again, showing a demanding spirit towards our Lord. He groans in his spirit and he weeps. He doesn't rebuke her, he lavishes grace upon them all as He raises Lazarus from the dead. They did nothing to deserve that, he simply loved them.

How many times will our own brothers and sisters make the same demands, the same giving of the Law, to those who have experienced grace? Why must those who walk according to the Law demand that those who walk in grace by faith, leave that faith and walk according to the Law? The Law was a schoolmaster, but we have no more need of a schoolmaster.

Galatians 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

We can't force people to stay in school well after their training years are over. That would be bondage. There comes a time in each person's life when they begin to really walk by faith. When we try to force them to walk by the Law after faith has already come, we are stealing their walkabout with God. We are yanking the very faith right out from under their feet. It's time to let them go.

Those who do walk by faith are excited, they are joyful, they are experiencing the 'walking on water' that Peter experienced. The walk of faith. As Peter and John said, "We can't help but to speak those things we have seen and heard" Acts 4:20 The Law givers forbade them from speaking of this grace, this walk of faith, but they continued to speak.

Acts 4: 29And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. 

If Peter and John had been preaching the Law, the Law givers would not have silenced them. It was because they spoke of faith in Christ, the grace that lavishes mankind. The Law givers don't like grace. Some struggle with grace, secretly they long for it, but perhaps they are afraid of it. They want to jump ship and walk on the water with Jesus, but will they sink like Peter did when he doubted?

There is always the risk that they will sink, but Jesus didn't forsake Peter. He was still there with him. He is with you...do you want to walk in grace by faith?

So what do you do with the Law? We walk in the Spirit and we love. We allow love to be our Law, not the letter. The letter of the law kills, but love is life by His Spirit. 

I'm not going to give a point by point 'how to' walk in grace by faith. There isn't one. It's stepping out where there is no visible step, believing there will be a stepping stone, believing by faith.

Just ask Him to be your guide. What is the worst that can happen? Life is going to throw you lemons, and sometimes have them thrown at you. You might fall, you might not. You'll never know, but Christ does and He will always be with you.

~Sis