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@clothedinjesus
Let’s talk about ✨ legalism ✨
Should it happen? NO 🙅🏻♀️✋🏼🛑
Does it happen? UNFORTUNATELY 🙁💔
🖤We’re all sinners
🤍We all need Jesus
🖤No one is above anyone else
🤍Help others on their journey with Jesus
🖤Be spiritually accountable for yourself, to Jesus and to others around you
🤍Jesus doesn’t like legalism, neither should you
🖤Love one another as Christ commands
🤍Don’t be discouraged if you witness or experience legalism/legalistic people
✨🙏🏼Scripture 🙏🏼✨ : Mark 2:17
🚩I know this is a long read but it’s worth it!
🩵I’ve grown up in the church all my life. Christianity was NEVER forced upon me. I had the free will to choose if I wanted to be a Christian. Something that I have noticed growing up is that some Christians live like Pharisees (religious hypocrites) with legalistic (extremely strict) tendencies, while others live out the essence of true Christianity. Jesus doesn’t like or agree with legalism. In fact, he says that he is not here for the “righteous” (legalistic), but he’s here for the sinner (mark 2:17). In this context the word righteous is being used as a negative term because the Pharisees thought they were so above everyone else (sin-less because they followed all the “rules”/law) to the point that they didn’t consider themselves sinners (huge mistake!).
🩵The people who act legalistically with a “holier-than-thou” mentality, actions and words often forget that they are also sinners. All of us are sinners. All of us have fallen short of the glory of God! I’m tired of seeing “righteous”/legalistic people tearing down other Christians and other people who are not Christians. Being a Christian is not about being perfect and becoming the holiest, annointed person in the faith. It should be about helping one another to become better people. All of us are on the same path, but all of us are at different points in our life in regard to spiritual maturity and our knowledge about the scriptures. Being a Christian is a PROCESS and that looks DIFFERENT for everyone.
🩵To those who think legalistically I say that I love you GENUINELY! And that it’s time to focus on the things that truly matter versus making others feel less than. I encourage you to extend help to your brother and sister in Christ and that you can also recognize that Christianity isn’t about being perfect, rather it’s about reflecting the love, grace, mercy, compassion and forgiveness that God has shown to us. After all, we are all made in his image.
🩵To those who have been hurt by legalism/legalistic people I say: do not be discouraged! There are good Christians who do live out Christianity in the way God calls us to. No church or group is perfect, but there are good people out there. Don’t let someone’s negative life choices stop you from have a genuine relationship with Jesus. Don’t let those people rob you of the love and joy you can receive from having a relationship with Jesus. People don’t get it right sometimes, that’s why we trust and put our hope and faith in God and not in man. 🩵To all of us I say: Let’s live life together. Let’s reject legalism and embrace the way Jesus wants us to live in freedom in freedom.
Judgment and Righteous Judgment
A lot can be said about this, but these are my two cents for today!
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:8-9
Sometimes your spiritual life is going to be a struggle. You will have your hill and valley moments. Sometimes you will be at your peak and other times you will be at your lowest, but what matters is that you get back up and that you keep trying! Keep fighting! It’s going to be hard to be motivated sometimes but that should not stop you from trying. Keep trying even if it’s hard for you. Keep moving forward, continue to grow in your faith even if it’s hard. Instead of being down on yourself for not being at your best, see it as an opportunity for you to grow and to be better. Sometimes doing the bare minimum is all you can do, sometimes you can do the most and go the extra mile. No matter where you find yourself keep this in mind: God won’t love you anymore or any less if you do the bare minimum or if you do the most. What matters to God is your intention and heart behind what you do. KEEP TRYING! DON’T GIVE UP! True hope comes by trusting God even when circumstances are difficult. Stay hopeful! Don’t lose hope. God will fill you with peace and joy!You still have a future, your hope will not be cut off! Stay faithful even when it’s hard.
1.Make God a priority in your life
2.You don’t have to be perfect to prioritize God
3.Be a man or woman who continually searches for God’s heart
In Psalms 132:2-5 David says that he will not rest, he won’t carry on with the trivialities of life until he can find a place for the Lord. This psalm beautifully alludes to the fact that we should all strive to make God a priority in our lives. No matter what we got going on whether it be school, work, social lives, church, events, relationships, family etc. Some days you will struggle to prioritize God than others due to the business of life, but always make the effort to make God your priority, give him the best of yourself each day. That being said you don’t have to be “perfect” in order to prioritize God. You don’t have to have “everything together” so that THEN you can give your best to God. You don’t have to wait until your relationship with God is “stronger” or “better” and you certainly don’t have to wait until you “get right” with God before you decide to make him a priority in your life, after all, when we are weak we are strong in the the Lord. David was far from perfect, he made many mistakes during his lifetime, but he was a man who was after the heart of God with flaws and all! The time to make God your priority is now! Act on it! Be a man or woman who continually searches for God’s heart. Make him a priority!
“He swore an oath to the Lord, he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob: “I will not enter my house or go to my bed, I will allow no sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, till I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.” Psalms 132:2-5
It’s pointless, it's useless, to worry. Worrying never brings or adds anything positive to your life, if anything worrying can cause you to just spiral,overthink and make poor choices that you never thought you would make. Spend your moments enjoying the life that God has given you. When you worry you end up relying on yourself and on your own strength. Don’t fall into the trap of trusting yourself instead of trusting God. Ecclesiastics reminds us to banish all anxiety from our hearts and to cast off all the troubles on our body. Philippians reminds us to combat our anxieties and our fears and worries with prayer. Our worries and fears and doubts and anxieties are all a part of life, but we shouldn't take ownership over that, rather we need to remember that even though we are destined to experience hardships on this planet we can overcome all of these things (John 16:33) It’s possible to live a happy life with God. Don’t rely on yourself.
“You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.” Ecclesiastes 11:9-10
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
Dreams are what get you
started. Discipline is what
keeps you going.
-Jim Ryun
Pride is one of those sins that can sneak up on you when you least realize it! No matter how much time you’ve been a Christian, no matter how much Bible you know, or what you’ve done for God, etc. YOU ARE STILL SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE SIN OF PRIDE. And to think you’re not IS a form of PRIDE. No one wants to be that Christian that admits they have fallen to the sin of pride… but it happens. When you recognize that in yourself, repent from it and move on. Clothe yourself with humility (Colossians 3:12-14) and feed your soul with the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). At some point or another we all struggle with pride. How much or how little of pride you experience doesn’t matter… because at the end of the day any amount of pride you experience and act on is BAD FOR YOU. Pride is selfish, it exalts itself, it doesn’t care about your neighbor, it doesn’t exhibit love! It is self serving. You were made for more than that. You were made to love, not to be prideful. Pride separates you from God and from what those around you. Strive to be humble, not prideful.
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but wish humility comes wisdom” Proverbs 11:2
“God opposes the proud and shows favor to the humble” James 4:6
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”Colossians 3:12-14
Today is a difficult day for me. 3 years ago today my grandma passed. It’s the worst feeling ever to lose someone so close to you. God has given me the peace in my heart that she’s in a better place and that she’s better than ever now. It still hurts that I can’t call her up to talk to her, tell her jokes, laugh with her and sing with her. But I know I’ll see her someday though.
💛
If there’s anything I’ve learned from her passing, it’s that life is that the time we have here on earth is limited… the moments we share here are precious. There is a time for everything. One day you’re here, another day you’re not. Value the time you have here on this planet. Value the things that matter: Your friends and family and of course God. Live life wholly, be present in every moment.
🌻🦋
Ecclesiastes 3 : 1-15
In life you’re always going to face problems, but the way you deal with them makes the difference. If you prioritize God —- if you make him more important than everything else in your life —- then your problems will become easier to deal with. Why? Because if you’re seeking God he will give you his peace and discernment that you need so that with God’s help you’re able to face your problems. If you put God before everything else that’s going on in your life, if you look for him, and if you live righteously (honestly and honorably) then God will give you everything you need. It might not be what you want, but it will be what you NEED.
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Matthew 6:33-34
⚠️NOTICE: this verse doesn’t say God will give you what YOU WANT. He will give you what YOU NEED. This verse also comes with a promise that he will give you what YOU NEED!
Someone out there feels better because you exist ☁️
We’re all connected in ways we can’t explain or begin to fathom. Be a reason that someone has a great day today. You don’t have to make a grand gesture to put a smile on someone’s face or to give them a word of encouragement. Be there for someone the way you would want someone to be there for you. Be the change you want to see.
As a kid I was rejected a lot and I remember being 7 years old and feeling so sad and rejected. I had tears in my eyes, I had my hands balled up in fists and I stared up into the sky. I remember telling myself that when I was older I would always treat people with the kindness and love that I never got from others. I made it my mission to see the best in people, to give them the best of me, and to be there for others in ways no one was ever there for me. I could have let my life experiences and rejections make me bitter, but I chose better. I chose to be the change I want to see, to treat others the way I want to be treated. I encourage you to do the same. It’s easier said than done, but it’s not impossible. Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody.
Something I dislike…..
Christians believing that God is distant, too far away from them… that God is inaccessible to them. The truth is that God is closer to you than you realize. The Spirit of God lives within you, and God lives among you every single day of your life. God isn’t the one who remains distant, he is always there for us. We are the ones who are distant, we are the ones who distance ourselves from God. God is close to the broken hearted, he heals the wounds of those who are hurt, he calls you by name, his understanding has no limit (so don’t put limits on him), he with with the humble, he hears the righteous and saves them from all their troubles, he saves those who’s spirits are crushed within them. You cannot say that we have a distant God when he sent his Son Jesus to live among us and to die for our sins. Jesus came to look for and to save the lost. Don’t believe the lie that you’re not good enough to be saved, or loved or seen by God because even though we don’t deserve his mercy and his grace he still thinks we’re enough, he still wants to spend time with us, he still wants to know us, live life with us and love us.
God is NEVER distant, he’s right there ready to live life with you.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.”
Psalms 147:3-6
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalms 34:17-18
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.””
Luke 19:10