The Big Pictuee

 

The Big Picture

     When I was at the university studying 2D Painting, I had an instructor that was highly educated in the field. He held degrees from his studies in China, Paris and New York City. His work was extraordinary on every level and his knowledge base was exceptional. During one of my early classes with him we were assigned to do a painting and bring it to class for a critique session with him and our peers. This particular day in the classroom was an eye-opener. I would learn something that was relevant far beyond the concepts and techniques of painting. 

     We all came to class and were told to place our work around the room for everyone to view. All of the students took some time to move from one painting to the other and form some opinions about such things as use of the medium, technique, color, composition, style, etc. One of my fellow students came to class with a still life that she had painted during the week. A large cross section of new students who were just starting out their schooling were quite smitten with her painting. She was also a new student and tt was apparent to everyone that she had painted for for years and taken great pains to put the last little element of information she could into the painting. Some of the students we expressing such great praise for the piece and were blown away by her ability to fine tune her subject matter. Eventually the professor asked her to talk about her work. It was obvious she was thrilled with all the praise from other students, and with a big smile, her first words were, "I just love painting the details!" To which the teacher fired out a startling response and said, "NO! It's not about the DETAILS! It's about the BIG PICTURE!" Then he took the time to explain how the student has unnecessarily spent all her time trying to capture every little detail and possible piece of visual information to make a good painting. He was adamant that every little detail with a mouse hair brush was not relevant to making good art and creating something exceptional. Her years of previous work had not helped her grow an inch in stature as a good artist in spite of such arduous and exacting efforts. 

    Recently I have come to think that, in general, much of the Church today has fallen into the same trap. We are lost in the details. Every little element of emphasis has become about all that we MUST DO to maintain right standing with God and man. It has become laborious and has forces people to look at much that is truthfully unnecessary. In error we have been taught the old adage "God is in the details." We assume that the old proverb applies to every little detail from scripture that we must give application to for maintaining solid footing in our spiritual journey. Not so actually. 

    The simple Gospel of what Christ came to accomplish, which we will call "The Big Picture" has been all but lost. Throughout the centuries the Gospel, which the scriptures calls "the power of God unto salvation" has been replaced, set aside, forgotten and even lost. That which has taken its place is much like the information that was delivered in the young girls painting. Just a lot of information, when put on canvas didn't have the ability to translate into Fine Art. It was pretty! It was clearly high definition and looked just like the elements she had chosen to represent in the finished picture. But it lacked the power that ultimately hits the mark of a great painting. The unlearned see the capacity to capture the essence of subject matter in high definition as the mark of a good painting or a great artist. That is not the case and never has been. The same with Christianity.  

    Listening to people who insist on being an umpire in our lives to determine by our hits and misses whether we are to be disqualified for the prize has been going on forever. The apostle Paul was adamant about not allowing this to happen in Colossians 2. Read for yourself about how it happens and why it's so important to avoid such situations and people. But the church today is full of it. Paul shares how such importance to the details is often mere man made notions that popularly passes for wisdom and serves us in no good way. Actually, only makes us proud. And, of course, we should be familiar with the Seven Deadly Sins of Proverbs. The first of which is Pride. But the church today is full of it. People, much like the Pharisees of Jesus' day, are praised, patted on the heard and placed in positions of leadership and honor because of the hoop jumping they exemplify in their lives and ruthlessly demand of others. As I mentioned, Paul was adamant about the outcome of such peoples influence of the lives of believers. Jesus was too. He spoke of the Pharisees by saying not to follow their example because "a little yeast is all it takes to leaven the whole  ball of dough." Paul pleaded with the church to ensure that those infiltrating the church with their doctrines of following the Mosaic Law would eventually cause the Grace of God to become void, worthless and ineffective. Such a thought should make our blood run cold.  But it doesn't. Since the beginning of time, it seems that humanity refuses to consider the truth that being in covenant with God is not about all the details we believe are necessary to interject into the relationship to try and ensure an outcome better than what God offers without it. 

    The Gospel is simple. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 "But all things are from God, who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought un into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him.) It was God (personally present) in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, NOT COUNTING UP and HOLDING AGAINST (men) their trespasses (but cancelling them), and committing us to the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor). (Amplified)  What was perfected and completed on our behalf in the finished work of Christ was sufficient and acceptable to God. When will it be acceptable and sufficient for us? 

    The result of coming into a covenant relationship with God is NOT to make us better followers of Laws, rules, regulations and DETAILS! Romans 5:1-2 "Therefore, since we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through FAITH, let us (grasp the fact that we) have (the PEACE of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy)( peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2. Through Him also we have (our) access (entrance, introduction) by FAITH into this grace (state of God's FAVOR) in which we (FIRMLY AND SAFELY)  stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God."

   Paul was clear that all the rule following, law abiding, hoop-jumping, etc. would not add one inch to your spiritual stature. But, doing what is stated above, holding fast in faith to the "Head" (who is Christ Jesus) will cause a growth that is from God alone. Leave the necessity of trying to gain favor with God by all your efforts and hard work. Learn to rest in the goodness of His love. Jesus has done for you what you could never have done for yourself. God honored it. God approved it. God said it was "ENOUGH". Seriously, if it was enough for God. Let it be enough for you. Cease with believing the necessity of going for unnecessary details that "churchianity" has insisted upon and learn to REST in the declaration of what God has promised to provide that sets us free from the anxiety, worry, and fear of not being exactly what He desires. Live in The Big Picture!

    

How To Make Prayer Effective

     Throughout the course of my life I have been taught about prayer. I have seen repetitive examples of its effectiveness and power in the lives of my family for generations on both sides. As an adult, I have graduated from several Bible schools and spent decades in full-time ministry where I've witnessed innumerable accounts of the positive outcome of prayer, yet much of it has remained somewhat of a mystery to many. Prayer was often "hit or miss." And I believe this is why. 

     Let me start with this. When reading anything about human religious history, even archaic civilizations religious history, we can easily grasp that humanity has shared in the same conflict of trying to get whatever "gods" they believed in to assist in the difficulties of life. Every kind of calamity, disaster, sickness, etc. was often met by people trying to appease the unknown gods and gain some kind of upper hand in the situation that would guarantee help, release, healing, or secure a positive outcome. Generally, the use of some kind of sacrificial offering was usually incorporated in hopes it would change their fear of wrath and judgment and secure blessing and favor. The problem remained that people were usually without any concept of what their gods might truly be angry about AND what prescribed sacrificial offering was necessary to secure the positive in their favor. So, religious systems were developed, priesthoods were established, and leaders appointed among those who seemingly had some sort of working knowledge about these matters. Any and every kind of method was embraced and utilized keeping people actively jumping through religious hoops, obeying religious laws, obliging people to follow systematic observations, holy days, and sacrificing their money, crops, cattle, and in some cases, even their children. Nothing was beyond the reach or out of bounds in making people bend to the necessities of what was required to move the hand of a god, or stay its wrath. People mutilated themselves before pagan altars in hopes of gaining the attention and winning favor from the gods. They sacrificed virgin maidens. Greek history has a literal story of thousands of men who castrated themselves before the altar of a goddess who demanded such action to appease her wrath. Some placed their own children on altars of fire to try and gain favor and keep the anger of the gods away from their lives. But surely we're way beyond such things today.

     When we look at these stories and take just a little time to consider the underlying motives of the people who went to such extremes, we usually shake our heads in disbelief and question how anyone, at any point in human history could subject themselves to such superstition and depravity in the name of religion. But when considering the deeper psychological and spiritual context of these things, we see that humanity is not much different today than then. In some societies and cultures, it's no different. There are religious groups in today's world who believe that their god requires them to throw homosexuals off of buildings, mutilate the genitals of young girls, stone people for particular "sins" as ascribed in their scriptures, kill infidels, and create terror and bloodshed in the name of their god. These horrifying and unjustifiable situations are pretty much happening on a daily basis without the interference of other nations disapproval. However, I digress, but it is a literal fact that such things are still happening in our world in the name of serious religious fervor and desire to please their god to the best of their understanding. 

     Where Christendom is concerned, I have also seen some unsettling things happen in the desire to try and appease the "angry God" of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. People who believe in the encroaching and ultimate judgment of an angry Judaeo/Christian God often take no different an approach than the people of ancient human history by trying to do whatever is necessary to appease wrath and stay judgment. For instance, Westboro Baptist members protest at the funerals of fallen US soldiers, and hold heartbreaking signs of offensive language in inappropriate places, believing that homosexuality plays a role in such matters. If they don't take their prescribed righteous stand and moral high-ground, they are allowing God's wrath to prevail. The same with zealots who have bombed abortion clinics in the name of all things holy. What we see is that, for the most part, human perception of keeping God's wrath at bay by our actions and religious zeal, though dramatic and attention getting (yet not required), still maintain a deeply rooted place in our conscious and sub-conscious minds. It's who we humans are. It's how we best respond.

     People want to be in charge. We want to control. We want to believe we possess a connection with a god who will work on our behalf to help us maintain sustainable equilibrium in an unpredictable and ever chaotic world. Prayer is one of the most commonly used means to try and make this an unshakable reality in our lives. We are taught that prayer is conversation with God. That prayer gives us the ability to approach God with our petitions and requests and be heard. Our utmost desire of practicing the discipline of prayer is that God will not only hear us, but respond to our requests and grant the outcomes we desire. To meet our expectations. To do what we ask. There are many Christian denominations and circles who maintain that prayer is for this purpose. To "move God's hand" in our circumstances of distress and discomfort. Many teach that God doesn't essentially have access into our world, or sphere of influence, unless we somehow "unleash" His ability and power through a prayer that correctly navigates His will in a given situation. Through my years in ministry and hearing every kind of perspective on the importance and power of prayer's effectiveness in our lives, not to mention all of the easy methods for "how to pray" for the most successful outcome, I've gained some understanding that has helped me. It has helped because it has taken all of the religious hoop-jumping, superstition, fear and anxiety of trying to be sufficient in bringing any bargaining chips into the mix. It has my need to offer vows of what I will do in exchange for the answers I am seeking. This is much different than how I was taught, and how I used to approach the necessity of prayer. And it has put my heart to rest. I am no longer anxiety ridden after time spent before God trying to figure out if I can uphold MY promises, keep MY vows, and maintain the sufficiency and consistency of MY faith in the equation so that answers will surely follow. 

     I would like to address some of these matters from a different perspective according to scriptural insights that might give us some fresh ideas about how prayer can be more effectively utilized by the seeker. In the meantime, be aware that my goal is not to tear down or come against anyone's understanding or belief system, but to offer uplifting and fresh insights into the way we approach what prayer is by definition, and how it can help to bring refreshing and peace into the lives of those who will use its amazing and simple availability. 

     

A Little Morning Reflection

     I lived most of my life not trusting that God loves me... even though it's the foundation of the good news found in the Bible. The church mostly reinforced that misguided perception and gave me religious prescriptives on how to better myself to earn and merit blessing and favor. "Do's and don'ts... Rules... Laws... Etc." A complete guide on how to earn and merit blessing and favor. THE most important day in my life was when I finally turned my back on these misguided and useless means of getting Gods attention and simply said to myself, "His promise is enough!" If God cannot make me and KEEP me in good standing with himself through faith alone... I have nothing else sufficient to accomplish that fact. No currency, no gift, no sacrifice, no offering, no work... nothing. It wasn't easy to come to that conclusive place, or to rest in that decision after years of depending on my own religious self-improvement (or self-righteousness). But, in time, it slowly began to sink in. I often feared when knowing I had done something wrong, out of character, or hurtful to others, as we all do from time to time, and would consider opportunities to take matters back into my own hands to try and fix things that I needed to trust God alone to accomplish. We've all found ourselves in that place. Left unchecked it can lead to becoming more deeply entrenched in every kind of irrelevant and destructive religious practice and pattern that, when applied, makes us feel better about ourselves through pride of accomplishment, but truly brings no greater position of right standing with God. What it DOES do is frustrates His goodness and grace in our lives, and cancels out the need to trust His love. There is no need to trust the promise or accomplishment of another when we depend on our own merit. And with God, you can't have a little of both!
      After all these years I'm still not without that urge to fall back into this practice. I'm human... But it's become much easier to trust Gods love than it used to be, even though I'm not perfect and often get it wrong. I no longer have to live with a self-inflated notion that I am such a "good Christian" and, as a result, I am much happier and at peace for having a more realistic outlook on myself and life in general, and how it all relates to a relationship with a God who has and always will love me. I'm no longer trying to follow all the religious prescriptions for being "holy" but living to know the heart of Him who did not come to condemn the world, but to save it. Romans 5:1 "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through of Lord Jesus Christ..."

Seriously?

     I never gave it a thought. In fact, I was fully in line with the thought process validating the perspective that "Free Will" was a necessary part of the equation for salvation. Not so anymore. And not because some filthy Biblically stilted Calvinist got hold of my capacity to think for myself, and tied up my brain with a rigid set of doctrinal notions that I couldn't untangle myself from. But, for the first time in years, by the help of some Calvinist teachings, they DID allow me to process some things that I've never considered before. I wish there were time and space in this blog to fully dissect this topic and take it under the microscope, but there isn't. I'll hit a few points, hopefully give a response or two and leave it at that.
     Recently I started a home fellowship group on Sunday evenings that is addressing an array of topics for the entire church to study and help get everyone on the same page. Good idea. I like that. However, I hadn't considered how much my views have changed through the years, nor how strongly people are attached to the idea that "Free Will" is so very imperative in the grand scheme of things where a relationship with God is concerned. But it is...
     If we backed everything up to the first account of human interaction with God, we'd see how the story of Adam and Eve appears to have "free will" written all over it. After all, didn't they disobey God and eat of the forbidden fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil of their own "FREE WILL"? Most would emphatically respond, as I used to, with a hearty "YES!" No one forced their hands in the decision, or twisted their arms. Temptation was genuinely a considerable factor in the story, but doesn't that play into everyone's life situations? We get tempted... we choose the wrong response, at least one time or another? Always with regrettable consequences.
     Many teachers will give us an explanation of Adam and Eve's pre-sin condition as "perfect." Thereby justifying that the doctrine that "free-will" to sin within the context of this "perfection" is the reason that God was justifiably angered and judged the situation as sinful, and prescribed the corresponding punishment of broken relationship and loss of right-standing before Him. Not to mention exile from the paradise called Eden. However, I'm no longer in agreement with this perspective. First of all, God never proclaimed Adam and Eve to be "perfect" after creating them. He said his creation was "good." He liked it. But that's all.
     Jesus told the people who approached him and referred to him as, "Good Rabbi..." by saying, "Only One is good, the Father in heaven." It is a part of most Christian's fundamental doctrines that only God is truly "righteous." By being TRULY righteous, it seems to me that such a position of perfection in character produces that capacity for that which Jesus is best known for. Sinlessness. We would, not for a minute, consider that Jesus was without "free will" and we use that fact as a pillar for our reasoning to base our foundational beliefs that we are the same. You know, created in God's image. Possessing a "free will" to use and choose as we so independently desire, never once thinking that our wrong choices are a sign of something more seriously grave and tell-tale about OUR nature, as opposed to God's.
     Like God, Jesus lived his life fully righteous and without sin. His righteousness gave him the power to make ALL choices and decisions based upon the freedom that comes with such unflawed divine character. Divine holiness and perfection doesn't have the capacity for error. Therefore the WILL of God is ALWAYS perfect and without blemish in the choices he makes. To be any different would make us more... like us! However, that can never be implied of humanity for a moment. Though God referred to his creation as "good", Adam and Eve lived in a place of divine provision under God's purpose and jurisdiction in Eden, yet without capacity for perfection. Had they never sinned, THAT might have come as a surprise to God, because the Bible clearly states that Jesus is the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." God was already ahead of the game and aware of the "choice" that Adam would take with the "free will" given to him. It seems more like Adam was created WITHOUT the capacity to make all choices righteous, and that God was ahead of the game, making provision for Adam AND future humanity, who would suffer with the same dilemma. Being born without the ability to CHOOSE righteousness, because we are NOT inherently righteous. It seems by reading the stories of Biblical characters, that all were somewhat flawed and made poor choices at one time or another. Adam and Eve broke the ONE law that God gave. Although it didn't END their relationship with God, it only CHANGED it, the same fact has been humanity and their creator has been no different since.
     Later we see that God gave Moses ten commandments to deliver to that Hebrews, and before Moses could come down from Mt. Sinai to reveal them, Israel was already caught up in every kind of sin, idolatry and debauchery that broke each of the commandments God had given. What was Moses to do? A few years later, Moses also gave the Law of God to Israel as a means of bringing a social and religious order to the newly emerging nation. About six hundred and thirty or so... the likes of which probably no previous civilization had ever seen. The Law was used to measure and judge and order every aspect of life and worship. It demanded an adherence of PERFECTION from those it was issued to, also to which a punishment and condemnation were also firmly prescribed. People did their best to give application to the Laws demands. But NEVER, and may I reiterate, NEVER did anyone accomplish it with perfection. The Law even made it clear that when a person breaks ONE of its tenets, they were guilty of having broken ALL of it, and would bear the just consequences. Pretty stiff, I'd say.
     The New Testament makes it clear in Paul's writings that NO ONE has ever met the standard of righteousness required by the Law of God, and that it provides no ability to give righteousness to its adherents. All it is, at best, is a reflective mirror that attests to the fact that, those who look to it as a standard of uprightness, will only see their deficit. THAT should make ANYONE who takes it seriously either run for cover, or fall before God and beg for mercy. The latter is actually the reason it was given. God has gone to great lengths to make his mercy known and revealed, along with his desire to make it absolutely clear that we have no currency to afford right relationship with Him based on our best intentions and self-efforts. When I consider this, I have to ask myself... If we are given a "free will" from God, why does no one use it, except to do what comes naturally to humanity? To sin. It's not that human beings never make any admirable "choices" in their lives, but the dilemma seems to be that our nature, where "will" is concerned, is held captive by something greater than ourselves. If that's the case, how can it be truly "free."
     The Bible teaches fundamentally that ALL humanity from Adam forward are dead in trespasses and sins. Implying that we have no free will of our own to change that dilemma. Doesn't it seem plausible that, if given half a chance, if we had been given a legitimate "free will" that someone, somewhere, somehow would have made the "free choice" to do something about their predicament? But who ever did? As I mentioned earlier, because God is righteous, his will is FREE, allowing him to NOT make unrighteous choices. We don't have that luxury. Because we are unrighteous, we make unrighteous choices, we choose unrighteous deeds. We follow the path of least resistance and suffer the consequences. Romans 3 tells us this about our "will." "No one is righteous, not even one, there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless, there is no one who does good, no even one... there is no fear of God before their eyes."
No wonder verses before and after in these passages give light to the fact that we are not "free" but "slaves" to a will that is broken and incapable of responding to God, loving God, seeking God, taking God's side, or emulating Him. Adam and Eve couldn't keep ONE law. Israel broke ten, then on to break over six hundred. And so it goes for humanity in general. We are without the capacity to use this so-called "free will" for any means of self-help where God is concerned. If there had been a person born with a legitimate FREE WILL... don't you think that at some point in history they would have CHOSEN righteousness, holiness, peace, truth, mercy, grace and love? And though we know this to be true, we still insist that it's by our "FREE WILL" that we suddenly come from death to life, darkness to light, sinfulness to righteousness?
Seriously?
I just can't see it.
The kind of righteousness that it takes to make such decisions is nowhere to be found in humanity.
Not according to scriptures. No one possessed it in the Old Testament stories of our patriarchs.
If they had, Romans 3 would be a lie.
But it's not a lie. No one has the resources or currency of a "free will" that is capable of doing what is necessary to engage God in a right relationship. All were enslaved to a will of sin and disobedience.
Until Jesus.
But how does that change things from that point forward?
Maybe next time...

Drink deeply.
    

Effortless Christianity

Recently, I've been seeing articles and blogs and comments about those crazy "grace people" who believe in "effortless Christianity." It's always negative and rife with warnings about the slippery slopes we are teetering on as we place more and more of our confidence in Christ as the sole means of finishing the good work God began in us. Although I've never heard tell of "effortless" Christianity, and it is not the way things are believed among those I fellowship with,  I am WELL AWARE of denominations, groups and preachers that try and place everything written in the scriptures as "imperative" if we will be TRULY saved. This is what I lived under for so many years. Believing, or faith, itself, was never enough in such circles to accomplish anything of lasting or eternal value. Everything that was necessary to be accomplished was going to be as much by the sweat of our brow as the curse God placed on Adam after sending him out of the garden. The more recent enlightenment on grace has helped me to become free from such strangling notions, and rightfully divide that which is TRULY IMPERATIVE from what isn't.

So, I can fully understand why it may appear to some that I have declined into a more relaxed approach to the Christian faith, and why it threatens their vital need to be in control of ensuring that every step stays on target. I’m sure it seems to some I have formerly been in fellowship with that I’ve jumped off the deep end and am "doing nothing" by comparison to the way they saw my rigorous spiritual life and practice in previous days, but that's OK. I now see things through a different lens. Let's face it, the more I relinquish control and hand over to the Lord for doing and completing, the less work I have. I guess you could say, it's becoming more effortless. On the flipside, however, I see lots of fear, anxiety, instability, superstition and unbelief even in those that were regarded as "pillars" in the circles I once attended. Because I no longer subscribe to their ways and means of faith and practice, I'm the one who needs serious prayer. And so it goes...

I've changed... but that is what this life, this journey, is also about. Some people proudly lay claim that their doctrines and belief systems haven't changed in 40 years. Really? That's more frightening to me than people leaving a more legalist and works-driven approach to a more “effortless” one. At least people, like me, are ASKING QUESTIONS about what they have been taught and testing the ropes according to what's clearly written in the scriptures. If you want the truth, I have a greater admiration for people who are willing to take that risk than for those who try and live safely within the confines of trusting their traditions, unchallenged doctrines, and rigorous self-EFFORT, never even peeking to see what is thriving outside the doors of their four walls. Christianity has never been based upon our efforts for success, or maintaining grandma's "old-time religion." It is based upon faith. Faith alone in the solid foundation of Christ alone. I'll take another cup of the "effortless" Christianity, thanks! Goes down pretty smooth, and satisfies to the last drop. Yessir!

 

Drink deeply.

A Little Dab'll Do Ya... Till the Next Application. Only for Styling Gel!

God's love is not served out in increments based upon the good you have done, are doing, or will do. It is given to us UNDESERVINGLY, richly, lavishly and based solely upon the perfect good that Jesus accomplished by fulfilling God's purpose on our behalf. By simple faith ALONE in this fact, we become the recipients of every good and perfect gift, every inherited blessing and every promise for everlasting life that was given to... Jesus first. The worry is left behind, the fear is gone, and anxiety is over. Anything that unsettles us in this matter is brought to an end. God's promise of assurance to us is given (Hebrews 6) with an OATH which he makes with HIMSELF, therefore it cannot be broken because of a LACK or INSUFFICIENCY on our part to strike an everlasting deal with him. So, by giving us his PROMISE and his OATH, we can understand that it is IMPOSSIBLE for God to prove false and deceive us. He SWEARS to give us mighty indwelling strength and encouragement for the HOPE set before us. And this HOPE is a STEADFAST ANCHOR for our SOUL - IT CANNOT SLIP OR BREAKDOWN UNDER WHOEVER steps out upon it. This hope REACHES FURTHER AND ENTERS INTO THE VERY CERTAINTY OF THE PRESENCE where Jesus, himself, has entered before us... and remains our Mediator and High Priest forever. Faith in Christ ALONE makes us wholly and eternally HIS...
This IS the GOOD NEWS! You are LOVED. That simple...

Oh, Hell!

I am often saddened by Christians who are bent on preaching about "hell" as a method of bringing people into the "kingdom" or putting enough fear in their hearts and minds to "keep them there." There is NO "good news" in it. Jesus did speak of hell often, but until you thoughtfully consider the PEOPLE he was speaking to and the MOTIVE behind it... you will NEVER grasp the WHY of his references to this topic. Jesus was SENT, first and foremost, as the Messiah to the Jewish people to FULFILL the Law's requirements and free them from the condemnation of the covenant it established between them and God. While many in his day were well aware of the law and it's demands, they were also rather self-assured that their ability to KEEP the whole of the law was "do-able." Jesus made it clear that not committing the sins listed IN the law was insufficient in God's eyes for righteousness... because the HEART of mankind was what God could see and judge that we often can't see in ourselves, much less the hearts of others. The law offered only the mirror for the sins of man, and the Jews were chosen to represent that truth to the world. Jesus spoke much of "hell" to express the foolishness of believing that any man had the capacity and sufficiency to stand under the laws PROOF of our sinfulness, and therefore clearly established the fact that condemnation was the ONLY end for our USING the law as a means for righteousness. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The talk of hell was not meant as a threat, but as a way to enlighten those with eyes to see and ears to hear that our insufficiency should be glaring and DRIVE us toward the loving MERCY of God, which is the reason and purpose of his being given to the world... To maintain confidence in their own ability to uphold the law would cause them to miss the GREATEST gift of provision that God sent for their own demise according to the laws decrees. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. Our confidence is in God's love and mercy and grace... not our ability to walk uprightly in hopes that we will be eternally rewarded for our own works. Christians... hell is not our home... the Holy Spirit IN YOU is the down payment that everything God has promised AND PAID FOR by the blood of the Messiah, will be faithfully completed. Believe it!

Drink deeply.