IT IS LOVE, NOT LAW, THAT DRIVES US TO HOLINESS (8)
by Tim Melton
Scripture: Colossians 2:16-23
This content is part of a series.
It Is Love, Not Law, That Drives Us to Holiness (8)
Series: Colossian
Tim Melton
Colossians 2:16-23
Gustavo had been a foster child since he was a little boy. He had been abandoned by his parents when he was young. He had been moved to so many different foster homes, and every time it ended in problems. They were demanding and abusive. He would try his best for as long as he could, but eventually he would become rebellious, and disobedient. He was not able to live with anyone. . . until he met the Andersons. They were different. They were strong but kind. They were firm but fair. They treated him with dignity and as if he mattered. They seemed to love him like their own son. In response he began to change. His attitude, his behavior, his schoolwork, his heart. He was now living the way that all those other homes had demanded, but now it was because of love not because of rules.
In the words of Josh McDowell. ''Rules without relationship bring rebellion.''
This story highlights the difference between love and law in the life of a Christian. We are all called to holiness, and this will only be accomplished through a love relationship with Christ. Guilt, fear and strict rule keeping will never change our hearts and our behaviors. God´s law does help us recognize holiness but will never empower us to take hold of it. Romans 13:8-14 describes it as ''Fulfilling the law through love.'' It is love that moves us to holiness.
Let´s now look to Colossians 2:16-23 as Paul speaks once again to the new believers in Colossae who were being confronted by false teachers.
16Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
Colossians 2:16-23 starts with the word ''therefore.'' That would be like saying, ''because of this.'' Whenever we read the word ''therefore'' in scripture it should take us bac ...
Series: Colossian
Tim Melton
Colossians 2:16-23
Gustavo had been a foster child since he was a little boy. He had been abandoned by his parents when he was young. He had been moved to so many different foster homes, and every time it ended in problems. They were demanding and abusive. He would try his best for as long as he could, but eventually he would become rebellious, and disobedient. He was not able to live with anyone. . . until he met the Andersons. They were different. They were strong but kind. They were firm but fair. They treated him with dignity and as if he mattered. They seemed to love him like their own son. In response he began to change. His attitude, his behavior, his schoolwork, his heart. He was now living the way that all those other homes had demanded, but now it was because of love not because of rules.
In the words of Josh McDowell. ''Rules without relationship bring rebellion.''
This story highlights the difference between love and law in the life of a Christian. We are all called to holiness, and this will only be accomplished through a love relationship with Christ. Guilt, fear and strict rule keeping will never change our hearts and our behaviors. God´s law does help us recognize holiness but will never empower us to take hold of it. Romans 13:8-14 describes it as ''Fulfilling the law through love.'' It is love that moves us to holiness.
Let´s now look to Colossians 2:16-23 as Paul speaks once again to the new believers in Colossae who were being confronted by false teachers.
16Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
Colossians 2:16-23 starts with the word ''therefore.'' That would be like saying, ''because of this.'' Whenever we read the word ''therefore'' in scripture it should take us bac ...
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