Enforcing Some but Ignoring the Others

S-Picking and Choosing

S-"So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law." Galatians 5:1

A-God's Grace and Freedom

L-Enforce One and Ignore the Other

"Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting. 

       -Back in the day, handwritten letters were the way of mail. To receive a handwritten letter, meant that someone personally took the time to sit down and think about you. It was the only way, there was no such thing as emailing or texting.

       -It had meaning. It was genuine.

       -Paul closed the letter to the Churches in Galatia with pen in hand, written large to ensure his genuine concern and love for them. It was Paul's way of saying, pay attention! (I wonder if he wrote in all caps, as though he was really trying to get his point across)

Paul goes on to write

"Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised are doing it for just one reason. They don't want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. And even those who advocate circumcision don't really keep the whole law. They only want you to be circumcised so they can brag about it and claim you as their disciples." Galatians 6:11-13

      -Listen, these people who come up to you and force you to follow their rules, yet they themselves ignore rules and laws themselves. They don't have your best interest at heart. They are full of themselves.

      -They force circumcision upon you because they are afraid of being persecuted. They would rather receive the praise than giving it to Christ.

      -Can't you see what they are doing? They are picking and choosing specific parts of God's law to obey and force, all while ignoring the rest of it. Don't be like that! Don't conform to that type of thinking or living.

     -God's Word it to be obeyed in its entirety, and it can't be done with out the Holy Spirit. Only Christ was able to fulfill and obey the entire law.

    -What laws are you forcing upon others? Let's step back and evaluate our life to the life of Christ. Let's not be those who pick and choose. Let's seek to obey all of the Word.

    -Let's be aware of what we are being taught and what we are teaching. Don't force your own convictions onto others. You can share your personal convictions but make sure you don't enforce them onto others in order to boast or claim them as your disciples. God didn't call us to be the Holy Spirit.

    -He called us to be followers of Christ, who seek to live a pure and blameless life, that honors and pleases Him.

S-Ask Christ to show you areas of His Word you are picking and choosing to obey. Then let Him help you obey all of His Word by the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit.