*Happy 4th of July!*
"It is interesting, as someone has pointed out, that every single religion known to man is a religion of works -- except the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Hinduism tells us that if we renounce the world and relate ourselves to the 'spirit of the universe,' we will at last find our way to peace. Buddhism sets before us eight principles by which man is to walk and thus find himself on the way to salvation. Judaism says we must keep the Law absolutely and inflexibly and then we will be saved. Islam says that a man must pray five times a day and give alms and fast on the month of Ramadan and obey the commands of Allah. All are ways of works. Unitarianism says that man is saved by having good character. Modern humanism says salvation is by service to mankind. But in every case salvation is said to be achieved by something we have to do. But the good news of the Gospel is that Christ has done it! He alone has done what no man can do for himself and thus has set us free.... True freedom is to be expressed in loving service for one another. This is truly life."
Ray Stedman, Galatians: Don't Submit Again to the Slave's Yoke (DP #249)
I love my life of freedom in Christ. I love being free and empowered by the Holy Spirit to love people even when my own nature challenges this blessing. It is a worthy cause and I am most honored to pursue it.
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