This month’s Life Lesson is taken from a chapter in our new book The Galatian Road A Road Less Traveled out later this month titled “IT’S JESUS CHRIST PLUS NOTHING”.
Before you were born again, did you ever ask what you would need to do to become a Christian, and were told there’s nothing to do, just accept the gift? But then after accepting this gift of salvation you were told what you need to do to live the Christian life. Have you ever been told to be Christ-like, to live as Christ did on earth, to live by all of Jesus’ teaching in the gospels? That is an impossibility for any of us, since no one can live the Christian life except Jesus.
Example: Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, you have heard it said, do not murder. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother and calls him a name shall be in judgment for murder. And whoever looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek, to love our enemies, and pray for those who persecute us. He tells us to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. (References: Matt 5:21-48) Ask yourself…who can do that?
The Sermon on the Mount is an unattainable goal for the human race, to attain through their own efforts. It is, however, a promise of what will happen in us when Jesus Christ has changed our nature, by putting His own nature in us at salvation. All of Jesus’ teaching is meant to be applied to the spirit life He puts within all born again believers. His life in us. It’s Jesus Christ plus nothing.
All of Jesus’ teaching while here on earth was teaching under the law of the old testament because He had not died on the cross yet. Hebrews 9:16-17 makes it very clear. “For where a covenant is (also known as a will or testament), there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives.” (NASB) All of Jesus’ teachings, including the Sermon on the Mount were before His death on the cross.
Are you getting the picture here? All of Jesus’ teaching was meant to be applied to the life He puts within you at salvation. His life! No one can live the “Christian life” apart from Jesus, living in and through you. “The things that are impossible with people are possible with God.” (Luke 18:27, NASB)
LIFE LESSON: Jesus died for us to give His life to us to live His life through us.
We appreciate your continued prayer and financial support. We need both to meet the ministry obligations. Thank you for your faithfulness.