There is a bargaining chip that the legalist take to the alter and in finding that they are blessed with a new car or job they assume that the bargaining chip is working. This is exactly what the evil one wants you to think as that makes you spiritually ineffective and neutered from ever having a spiritual path. Take a look at how two disciples tried to bargain.
Can you make God obey you?
Why doesn’t God do what you want?
What’s more important your position or Loving others?
“Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” He asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” – Mark 10:35-37
No one will ever be able to say that James and John were shy or non-arrogant might be a better word, but then I see this same arrogance with legalist.
The argument in the mind of legalist goes something like this, “If I obey more and look better to those around me, if I sing louder and give more then surely Jesus will like me more and do what I want.” I know I used to think this with my Dads cancer.
In case you haven’t grasped this idea let me explain something- Gods wisdom makes ours look foolish. You can’t impress Him, you never could and you never will be able to. For this reason I can only imagine a furrowed brow on the face of Jesus and perhaps a bit of a chuckle at this request.
If you are still trying to manipulate God- that is your source of the pain and inadequacy you feel. But there is by the Grace of God a solution- Jesus!
The solution is not about what you can do for Him but about what He did for you and continues to do for you – this solution puts an amazing sense of gratitude in your heart and that is the Love light that must shine to heal others.
Here is a meditation for you. Find a time and a place where you probably won’t be disturbed but if you are it’s a gift from God. Take several deep breaths and with each exhale let Him take the stress of your efforts and works. Close your eyes and begin to get a picture of you kneeling before His thrown with a bunch of filthy rags. As you get this picture:
Breathe in and say:
“God this is all”
Breathe out and say:
“I have to offer”
Practice this until you can begin to grasp that His sacrifice is the only way to His thrown. We were called to Love- and that’s it.
Don’t Worry- Be Grace-Full!!
