Two Tried Ways

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 (study – 20)

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Scripture contrasts TWO ‘ways’ a believer can seek to obtain blessing from God
Paul outlines both options – (for sanctifying salvation) in his epistle to Galatians
1) The Grace – Promise – Faith Way
2) The Works – Merit – Law Way

The Grace-Promise-Faith Way is 100% achievable – and done BY God FOR Man.
The Works-Merit -Law Way is 100% unachievable – and done BY Man FOR God.

There is probably no more important message to the Church today – than this
For most believers having started their Christians Life by GRACE through FAITH
Revert from GRACE back to the LAW – as they try to Live their life for God.

Blessings abound for those – humble enough to live the Grace-Promise-Faith Way,
Blessings abound for those – courageous enough to seek to live their life God’s way.

Paul challenges those given initial salvation by grace thru faith – with these words:
Are ye so foolish…..?
…having BEGUN in the Spirit, (Salvation the Grace-Promise-Faith Way)
Are ye so foolish? having BEGUN in the SPIRIT,
…are ye now made perfect by the FLESH ? (Sanctification the Works-Merit -Law Way) Gal.3.3


I believe ALL believers fall into this deadly trap early in their Christian Life,
Many aren’t taught or “discipled” in the difference between these contrasting ways.

The Grace-Promise-Faith Way – is sanctification done BY God FOR the Believer.
The Works-Merit -Law Way  – is sanctification attempted BY a Believer FOR God.

The Grace-Promise-Faith Way –is generally described as the ‘spiritual’ route.
The Works-Merit -Law Way – has a number of words to describe this route…
The Works-Merit -Law Way – can be called ‘carnal’ ‘the flesh’ ‘being under law’ etc.

Words like ‘carnal’, ‘fleshly’, ‘legalistic’, ‘self’ – are often misunderstood,
Such words often have the incorrect connotation of gross misconduct or sins.

In reality they often describe believers who deeply desire sanctification and spirituality
In actuality they depict believers trying to please God, the Works-Merit -Law Way.
For the flesh lusteth against the spirit,
and the spirit against the flesh. Gal.5:17

Within the inner ‘being’ of man are two continuously conflicting camps:-
The old sin nature (the flesh or self-ego) – is gained from the old birth In ADAM.
The new life in Christ (the spirit of Christ) – is gained from the new birth In HIM.

Often the inner old sin nature (the flesh)- shows itself thru the physical body,
Often the inner old sin nature (the flesh)- is manifested thru Religious works,
Always the sin nature (the flesh) displays itself The Works-Merit -Law Way.
– i.e. GOOD Christians- trying to live GOOD Christian lives – the WRONG WAY.

THIS IS THE THING:-
ALL believers are born again ONE WAY – (The Grace-Promise-Faith Way)
What must I do to be saved ?”
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved – Acts 16:31

Saved by Grace thru faith,
Saved by Grace ALONE through Faith ALONE in Christ ALONE.
A done deed.. a finished work be CHRIST.

The question for believers then arises :_
How do I proceed in my Christian walk ?
How am I made perfect as God requires?

WELL – once in the family there are two choices that ALL believers MUST make
And Paul outlines these two choices – in the epistle to the Galatians.
But from the point of rebirth an inner tug of war commences – in the realm of the spirit:
The Works-Merit -Law Way – as against – The Grace-Promise-Faith Way

The old sin nature (the flesh/ the self)– opposes the new life in Christ (the spirit)
The inner ‘flesh’ may manifest itself through deeds carried out in the physical body,
The inner old sin nature may manifest itself by trying to do God’s will,
– It may manifest itself by TRYING to do a myriad of good works and good deeds.

Once in the family there are TWO choices that ALL believers MUST make
EITHER  – to live the Grace-Promise-Faith Way
OR             – to live the Works-Merit -Law Way

Paul points out that however good, fine and perfect The Works-Merit -Law Way is…
-believer that chooses this way – will never obtain divine promises,
Blessings come by grace and not by works – not by what we do or don’t do.

Believer that chooses this way will never be able to please God,
-for pleasing God is only by Grace through Faith.
“without faith it is impossible to please Him”

Believers that go this way will never grow or mature properly in the Christian life,
– growth will be stunted – and fellowship will be interrupted -

ONLY the Grace-Promise-Faith Way is 100% achievable –

And the grace-promise-faith way is done BY God FOR Man and not the other way around.
There is NO responsibility on man to DO.. – only to BE
-because sanctification like justification is ALL God’s Work – not man – ‘trying’.
Sanctification like justification is ALL God’s Grace.

And ALWAYS Works-Merit -Law Way is 100% unachievable –
as this is done BY Man FOR God.

But Maturing, like initial believing, is all God’s Grace – not man’s trying

Anyone that tries to please God the Works-Merit -Law Way is not UNDER Grace
– SAVED – YES indeed!
– BUT – living under a pot pourri of legalism, carnality and dead ‘fleshly’ works.

Grace abounds for those that are both humble and courageous enough to take this route.
There is so much more to explore about living by Grace in Galatians…
– which step by step by step brings us from persistent failure and self effort…
– to a life lived the only possible way:
– through GOD’s GRACE

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Two Tried Ways  - part 20

Full Study Index for ‘A Study on GROWING in GRACE’

A Study : GROWING in GRACE

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