Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Galatians 5:18

When it comes to religious thinking trying to get us to lock into a series of “DO NOT”s and “whoa boy, if you’re not careful”s, we need to remember Galatians 5:8 “This persuasion is not from the one who calls you!” The New Covenant is not a legalistic one. It is based on Trust in Jesus. Of course, if we are trusting in Him we are OBEYING Him (John 14:15). And if we are obeying, we’re keeping the morality of the Law. We manage it because Jesus did it, and we’re in Him. When we harmonize with Him, we harmonize with the Law. That means that we can let Him be our Sabbath rest – relying on Him for everything in completeness and totality (spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, financially, spirit-soul-body; submitted to His will and Word). That means we won’t be killing, lying, cheating, being sexually immoral, not celebrating or honouring death, being gluttons and drunkards, or failing to honour our parents. We’ll turn the other cheek to people, while letting Jesus command us to how we should defend from the powers and principalities behind them. We’ll pray for our enemies and government alongside our family and friends. We’ll preach the Gospel. We’ll hear the Word. We’ll do all those things, but not be bound to rules, structure, times, or moons. It will be led by Ruach HaKodesh and will naturally come out of our love for Adonai. In other words, we won’t be able to help ourselves or keep ourselves from doing good works (Ephesians 2:10).

It is the system of JUDGMENT that Ruach HaKodesh is authorised to keep us out from under. It is not redemption from morality – quite the opposite. The more Grace that is extended to us, the MORE we want to OBEY. The MORE we crave to do good works. The MORE we keep from letting our flesh get in the way of the drive of Ruach. We will actively seek opportunities to let the love of Adonai flow through us. Not pridefully. Not to get attention. No. Because we KNOW Adonai. We KNOW His character. And it is what He would do (and did) in the same situation. It is worshipful service in humble submission. The Believer’s Walk. The Way. Reflecting Jesus in a dark and broken world (Matthew 5:14-16).

Oh, but humans LIKE rules. We like to know the edges of the field. We like to know we’re safe. We like to know our efforts are paying off. We LIKE the Law. We LIKE the clear lines. We like that it is performative. Never mind that no human can ever achieve it – not even Moses who received it from Adonai. We still LIKE it. But the true life of the Kingdom isn’t the shadow of Law and sacrifice. It is Trust in Jesus who IS the sacrifice. Instead of trusting in human-performed ritual, we have to trust that He did it. That He IS up there for us. It is about trust in what JESUS did. Trust in what JESUS won back for us. Trust in who we are IN JESUS because OF JESUS, and not ourselves.

Ruach HaKodesh has the authority to help us understand and walk in that. He has the authority to remind us of what Jesus won for us so often, so consistently, and so firmly, that we never let ourselves get put under the Law again – whether the Law of Adonai Elohim or the religious thinking of humanity. We have to submit to that authority. We have to choose to follow that authority. We have to seek Jesus with all our hearts. We do have work to do, but it is trust-based not law-based. It is because of TRUST that we are seen by Adonai. If we don’t have trust, we can’t please Adonai. If we don’t heed Ruach HaKodesh, it will be easy to forget that. He keeps us away from Law by remembering Jesus to us. What Jesus did, what Jesus enabled, and what Jesus calls us to. He is the keeper awayer who gives us the fruit of TRUE freedom. The fruit of Adonai’s objective morality.

Daily Affirmation of the Goodness of Elohim: Psalm 16:2

“Oh my soul you have said to Yahweh, “You are my Lord. I have no good apart from you.”” I have no delusions. If it wasn’t for Adonai, I would have nothing good in my life. I know it, but I have to remind my flesh of it. I have to keep it before my eyes. I don’t want to get complacent. I don’t want to think this is no big thing. i especially never want to think I accomplished anything on my own. If I did it, it’s because He gave me the ability. If I think of it, it’s because He gave me the capacity to think and imagine – or just flat-out gave me the thought. If I say it, it’s because He granted me the ability to speak and taught me (possibly through gifted teachers) the language to take advantage of that. He gave me my abilities. He inspired me. He instructed me. I stood on HIS shoulders to achieve any heights I have reached. I have nothing without Him. He is my source for all things. I acknowledge His generosity and mercy toward me. I realise what I would be without Him. I owe it all to Him and I never will. You hear me, body? You hear me, brain? I have NOT ONE SINGLE GOOD THING in my life without HIM. He has given me – give us all – so much. What a GOOD God!

Your Daily Confession of Elohim’s Goodness:

I taste and see that Yahweh is good; I am blessed because I take refuge in Him.

Psalm 34:8