MESSAGE BIBLE: Gal.5: When you attempt to live by your

own religious plans and projects, you are cut off from

Christ, you fall out of grace....For in Christ, neither

our most conscientious religion nor disregard for

religion amounts to anything. What matters is something

far more interior: faith expressed by love.

TO GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT AND STIFLE THE WORK OF GOD

THAN ANYTHING ELSE. THIS MORNING I WANT TO LOOK AT THE

CHARACTERISTICS OF A RELIGIOUS SPIRIT THAT PEOPLE YIELD

TO SO THAT WE CAN AVOID IT AT ALL COSTS AND REPENT OF

ANY OF ITS TENDECNIES IN OUR LIVES. I WANT TO BE A

HEALTHY, GROWING CHURCH AND THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO STOP

TRYING TO BE RELIGIOUS AND START BEING REAL.

James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth

his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the

Father is this, To visit the fatherless and

widows in their affliction, and to keep himself

unspotted from the world. (KJV)

OF THE LIFE OF GOD, NATURALLY AND SPONTANEOUSLY FLOWING

OUT OF A PERSON LIFE IN COMPASSION TOWARDS OTHERS AND TO

MAINTAIN A QAULITY OF HOLINESS THAT IS THE RESULT OF THE

HOLY SPIRIT'S PRESENCE IN A PERSON'S LIFE. NOW JAMES

USES THIS WORD, "RELIGION" IN ITS PUREST FORM. BUT THIS

MORNING I WANT TO LOOK AT RELIGION DEFINED AS MAN'S

EFFORT TO JUSTIFY HIMSELF WORTHY OF GOD'S FAVOR AND

BLESSING BY SELF EFFORT AND GOOD WORKS. HERE RELIGION

IS DEFINED AS MAN'S ATTEMPT TO REACH GOD. CHRISTIANITY IS

DEFINED AS GOD'S INITIATIVE TO REACH SINFUL HUMANITY

THROUGH THE PERSON AND WORK OF JESUS CHRIST, HIS ONLY

BEGOTTEN SON. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE DISTICTION

BETWEEN THE TWO BECAUSE IT WILL EFFECT YOUR WHOLE DIS-

POSITION AND LIFE.

Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened,

that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy,

that it cannot hear: (KJV)

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between

you and your God, and your sins have hid his

face from you, that he will not hear. (KJV)

DOING THAT, OR DOING THIS PERFECT IN ORDER TO REACH GOD.

THE TRADGEDY IS THAT NO ONE MAKES IT. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE

FOR MAN TO REACH GOD AND THAT IS WHY GOD TOOK THE INI-

TITIVE TO DEVISE A PLAN OF SALVATION THAT WAS ENTIRELY

DEPENDENT UPON GOD TO FULFILL AND NOT MAN. THE NEW

COVENANT WAS ESTABLISHED UPON THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST NOT

BY THE OBEDIENCE OF MAN. IN FACT THE PRUPOSE FOR THE

MOSAIC LAW, WITH ALL ITS CERMONIES AND RITUALS WAS TO

PROVE AND SHOW MAN'S INABILITY TO KEEP IT. LISTEN TO

WHAT PAUL SAYS TO THE GALATIAN CHURCH FROM THE MESSAGE

BIBLE:

What actually took place is this: I tried keeping

rules and working my head off to please God, and it

didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" (or religious)

so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me

how and enabled me to do it. I identified myself com-

pletely with Him. In deed I have been crucified with

Christ. My ego is no longer central. Its no longer

important that I appear righteous before you or have

your good opinion (that's most important to the

religious man) and I'm no longer driven to impress God.

Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not

mine, but it is lived by faith in the Son of God who

loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going back

on that.

Is it not clear to you that to go back to the old

rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an

abandonment of everything personal and free in my re-

lationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudi-

ate God's grace. If a living relationship with God

could come by rule keeping, then Christ died unneces-

sarily.

The obvious impossibility of carrying out such a

moral program should make it plain that no one can

sustain a relationship with God that way. The person

who lives in right relationship with God does it by

embracing what God arranges and provides for him. Doing

things for God is the opposite of entering into what God

does for you. Habakkuk had it right: the person who

believes God, is set right by God--and that's real life.

Rule keeping does not naturally evolve into living by

faith, but only perpetuates itself in more and more rule

keeping, a fact observed in Scripture: the one who does

these things (rule keeping) continues to live by them.

But Christ has redeemed us from that self-defeating,

cursed life by absorbing it completely in himself. Do

you not remember what the Scriptures says, cursed is

everyone who hangs on a tree. This is what happened

when Jesus was nailed to the cross, he became a curse

and at the same time dissolved the curse for us!

THROUGH FAITH, AND THAT NOT OF OURSELVES, ITS THE GIFT

OF GOD, NOT OF WORKS LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST. THE

GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST IS THAT GOD TOOK

THE INITAITIVE TO COME TO MAN, HE DOES THE WORK, YOUR

PART AND HIS PART AND NOW OFFERS TO ALL THE FREE GIFT OF

IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND FAVOR WITH GOD. THIS IS THE

HEART AND NUCLEOUS OF THE GOSPEL: GOD BECAME A MAN SO

THAT HE COULD DO MAN'S PART FOR MAN BECAUSE HE WAS

SPIRITUALLY DISQUALIFIED FROM DOING IT. IN THE DOCTRINE

OF SUBSTITUTION CHRIST DID FOR MAN WHAT HE COULD NOT DO

FOR HIMSELF AND OFFERS TO EVERY BELIEVING PERSON THE

RIGHT AND PRIVILEGE OF COMMUNION AND RELATIONSHIP WITH

GOD. WE CAN NEVER EARN IT. ITS A FREE GIFT OF GOD'S

GRACE.

Romans 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free

gift. For if through the offence of one many

be dead, much more the grace of God, and the

gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus

Christ, hath abounded unto many. (KJV)

Romans 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is

the gift: for the judgment was by one to

condemnation, but the free gift is of many

offences unto justification. (KJV)

Romans 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by

one; much more they which receive abundance

of grace and of the gift of righteousness

shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment

came upon all men to condemnation; even so

by the righteousness of one the free gift

came upon all men unto justification of

life. (KJV)

Romans 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were

made sinners, so by the obedience of one

shall many be made righteous. (KJV)

ITS INTERESTING TO NOTICE THAT THE COVENANT WAS NOT

MADE BETWEEN ABRAHAM, AND HIS SEED AS OF MANY OFFSPRING

BUT FROM ONE SEED AND THAT SEED IS CHRIST AND THAT THE

ADDING OF THE MOSAIC LAW IN ALL ITS RITUALS AND CERE-

MONIES CANNOT DISANNUL THE COVENANT. WE READ THIS IN:

Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are

under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is

every one that continueth not in all things

which are written in the book of the law to do

them. (KJV)

Gal 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the

sight of God, it is evident: for, The just

shall live by faith. (KJV)

Gal 3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that

doeth them shall live in them. (KJV)

Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the

law, being made a curse for us: for it is

written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a

tree: (KJV)

Gal 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the

Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might

receive the promise of the Spirit through

faith. (KJV)

Gal 3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men;

Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be

confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth

thereto. (KJV)

Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises

made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many;

but as of one, And to thy seed, which is

Christ. (KJV)

Gal 3:17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was

confirmed before of God in Christ, the law,

which was four hundred and thirty years after,

cannot disannul, that it should make the

promise of none effect. (KJV)

Gal 3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no

more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by

promise. (KJV)

Gal 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added

because of transgressions, till the seed should

come to whom the promise was made; and it was

ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

FULFILL ALL THE TERMS OF THE COVENANT FOR US SO THAT WE

COULD COME BACK INTO RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD APART

FROM ANY SELF EFFORT AND DEPENDEENT UPON FAITH IN CHRIST

ALONE. LEGAL ACCESS INTO THIS COVENANT IS THEREFORE

GAINED BY FAITH AND NOT WORKS. NOW AS MUCH AS THAT IS A

REALITY FOR ALL OF GOD'S PEOPLE MANY HAVE FALLEN BACK

INTO THE TRAPPINGS OF THE KEEPING OF THE LAW AND SELF

EFFORT AS A WAY TO MAINTAIN RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

THIS IS THE ESSENCE OF THE RELIGIOUS PERSON. IF WE ARE

SAVED BY FAITH INITIALLY WE WILL BE SAVED BY GRACE

ETERNALLY.

John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the

wilderness, even so must the Son of man be

lifted up: (KJV)

John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not

perish, but have eternal life. (KJV)

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and

they follow me: (KJV)

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they

shall never perish, neither shall any man

pluck them out of my hand. (KJV)

John 10:29 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and

had seen the things which Jesus did, believed

on him. (KJV)

IN THE NAME OF GOD, BELIEVING THEY WERE RIGHT, BUT NOT

REPRESENTING THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST AND NOT EXPRESSING THE

LIFE OF CHRIST. NOW THE ESSENTIAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

RELIGION AND CHRISTIANITY IS THE ISSUE OF REAL LIFE.

IN JN.10:10 JESUS SAID THE THEIF COMES TO KILL, STEAL &

DESTROY; BUT I HAVE COME THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE LIFE AND

LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY. SO CHURCH AT ITS ESSENCE IS LIFE

ORIENTED NOT RULE REGULATED. IT'S LIFE, IF THERE ISN'T

LIFE THERE YOU'RE NOT SEEING THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST, AND

IT ISN'T GOOD NEWS ITS JUST BONDAGE. REMEMBER,

STRUCTURES CAN BE APPROPRIATE, PROGRAMS IN THEIR RIGHT

PLACE ARE APPROPRIATE, BUT STRUCTURE AND PROGRAMS CAN-

NOT PRODUCE LIFE. JESUS SAID I AM LIFE AND I AM COME SO

THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE LIFE. SO LIFE WILL GIVE FORM TO

DIFFERENT PROGRAMS AND STRUCTURE BUT THEY CANNOT PRODUCE

IT.

FORMS OF GOD LIFE AT DIFFERENT SEASONS IN OUR CHURCH AND

IN OUR PERSONAL LIVES AS WE ALLOW IT. NO ONE EXPRESSION

OF GOD IS GOD. ALL EXPRESSIONS OF GOD ARE GOD. TAKE

FOR EXAMPLE THE DIVERSITIES OF WATER: WE HAVE OCEANS,

RIVERS, LAKES, PONDS, STREAMS AND CREEKS. WHICH ONE OF

THEM IS WATER? THEY ARE ALL WATER BUT NO ONE IS WATER

EXCLUSIVELY, THEY ALL ARE. SO GOD HAS MANY EXPRESSIONS

OF LIFE WITHIN HIS CHURCH WHICH IS HIS BODY. THE IM-

PORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT LIFE MUST BE ACTIVE IN

THE CHURCH OR PEOPLE WILL TRY TO SUBSTITUTE IT FOR

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY. PEOPLE ARE NOT ATTRACTED TO

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY, THEY'RE LOOKING FOR THE REALITY AND

SUBSTANCE OF THE GOD KIND OF LIFE. THE ONE THING WE

NEED IS THE LIFE OF GOD. IF WE DON'T HAVE LIFE WE DON'T

HAVE ANYTHING, WE JUST GOT RULES AND BONDAGE AND CERE-

MONY. MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, WE NEED HIS LIFE AND WE

CAN BECOME SO SOPHISTICATED THAT WE INITIATE OUR OWN

PLAN FOR GOD'S CHURCH AND THE END RESULT IS DEATH.

Rev 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis

write; These things saith he that hath the seven

Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy

works, that thou hast a name that thou livest,

and art dead. (KJV)

ONLY AFFECTIVE WHEN IT'S GOT LIFE IN IT. YOU CAN

SHAMPOO THE HAIR, PUT A SUIT ON IT, POLISH THE NAILS AND

PUT MAKEUP ON IT BUT A BODY WITHOUT LIFE IS A CORPSE.

AND A CHURCH WITHOUT LIFE IS A CORPSE NO MATTER HOW

PRETTY YOU DRESS IT UP. IF THERE'S NO LIFE IN IT ITS

DEAD. NOW IN REV.3:1 WE READ ABOUT THE CHURCH OF

SARDIS. IT SAYS, I KNOW THY WORKS AND RELIGIOUS

ACTIVITY, THAT YOU HAVE A REPUTATION THAT YOU ARE ALIVE,

I SAW IT IN CHARISMA MAGAZINE, BUT YOU ARE DEAD. WOOO!

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF THE LORD SAID THAT TO YOU AND YOUR

CHURCH. LIFE IS NOT IN A REPUTATION OR IN A CHURCH'S

REPUTATION, BUT THERE IS JOY, GROWTH, MATURITY AND FRUIT

COMING FORTH FROM THAT CHURCH. YOU SEE LIFE IS OBSERV-

ABLE. ITS MEASURABLE. YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY TO SOME-

ONE WERE ALIVE, THEY WILL KNOW IT BY OUR FRUIT. ONE

OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF HEALTHY SHEEP IS THAT THEY RE-

PRODUCE. LIFE THAT IS HEALTHY ALWAYS REPRODUCES ITSELF.

A CHURCH DOES NOT GROW BY IMPLEMENTING NEW PROGRAMS OR

NEW ACTIVITIES OR BY BRINGING IN A BIG TIME EVANGELIST.

A HEALTHY CHURCH WILL GROW NATURALLY AND SPONTANEOUSLY.

NOW LISTEN TO WHAT JESUS SAID TO THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS

OF HIS DAY:

Mark 7:2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat

bread with defiled, that is to say, with

unwashen, hands, they found fault. (KJV)

Mark 7:3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except

they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the

tradition of the elders. (KJV)

Mark 7:4 And when they come from the market, except they

wash, they eat not. And many other things there

be, which they have received to hold, as the

washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and

of tables. (KJV)

Mark 7:5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why

walk not thy disciples according to the

tradition of the elders, but eat bread with

unwashen hands? (KJV)

Mark 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath

Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is

written, This people honoureth me with their

lips, but their heart is far from me. (KJV)

Mark 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching

for doctrines the commandments of men. (KJV)

Mark 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye

hold the tradition of men, as the washing of

pots and cups: and many other such like things

ye do. (KJV)

Mark 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the

commandment of God, that ye may keep your own

tradition. (KJV)

Matt 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his

disciples, (KJV)

Matt 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in

Moses' seat: (KJV)

Matt 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe,

that observe and do; but do not ye after their

works: for they say, and do not. (KJV)

Matt 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be

borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but

they themselves will not move them with one of

their fingers. (KJV)

Matt 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of

men: they make broad their phylacteries, and

enlarge the borders of their garments, (KJV)

Matt 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and

the chief seats in the synagogues, (KJV)

Matt 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called

of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. (KJV)

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY VOID OF THE LIFE OF GOD.

2 Tim 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the

power thereof: from such turn away. (KJV)

IOUS SPIRIT. NOW THERE IS ALOT OF ZEALOUS ACTIVITY AND

A FORM OF GODLINESS BUT THERE'S NO LIFE AND WITHOUT THE

LIFE OF GOD FLOWING THROUGH THE MEMBERS OF A CHURCH

YOU'VE GOT A DEAD CHURCH. SO THIS MORNING I WANT TO

LOOK AT THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A RELIGIOUS SPIRIT SO

THAT WE CAN IDENTIFY ANY OF THOSE TENDENCIES IN OUR OWN

LIFE AND GET RID OF THEM AT OUR COMMUNION SERVICE THIS

MORNING.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE BELIEVER'S LIFE. HE CONTINUES TO

SAY, "ONE OF THE MOST DECEPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS ABOUT

THE RELIGIOUS SPIRIT IS THAT IT IS FOUNDED UPON ZEAL FOR

GOD. WE TEND TO THINK THAT ZEAL FOR GOD CANNOT BE EVIL,

BUT THAT DEPEND ON WHY WE ARE ZEALOUS FOR HIM. AS PAUL

WROTE TO THE JEWISH BRETHREN IN ROM.10:2, 'I BEAR THEM

WITNESS THAT THEY HAVE A ZEAL FOR GOD, BUT NOT IN

ACCORDANCE WITH KNOWLEDGE.' NO ONE ON EARTH PRAYED

MORE, FASTED MORE, READ SCRIPTURES MORE, HAD A GREATER

HOPE IN THE COMING MESSIAH, OR HAD MORE ZEAL FOR THE

THINGS OF GOD THAN THE PHARISEE. THOSE WHO WERE MOST

ZEALOUS FOR THE WORD OF GOD CRUCIFIED THE WORD WHEN HE

APPEARED TO WALK AMONG THEM. THE SAME IS TRUE FOR THOSE

WHO HAVE MISGUIDED ZEAL THAT IS EMPOWERED BY A RELIGIOUS

SPIRIT.

Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace

there shall be no end, upon the throne of

David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and

to establish it with judgment and with

justice from henceforth even for ever. The

zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 59:17 For he put on righteousness as a

breastplate, and an helmet of salvation

upon his head; and he put on the garments

of vengeance for clothing, and was clad

with zeal as a cloke. (KJV)

TOWARDS THE SPIRIT OF GOD AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD. NOW

THE PRIMARY ERROR IN THE RELIGIOUS SPIRIT IS THAT IT

SEEKS TO HAVE US SERVE THE LORD IN ORDER TO GAIN HIS

APPROVAL, RATHER THAN FROM A POSITION OF HAVING OUR

APPROVAL FROM THE CROSS OF JESUS. THEREFORE THE RE-

LIGIOUS SPIRIT BASES ITS RELATIONSHIP TO GOD ON PERSONAL

DISCIPLINE AND PERFORMANCE RATHER THAN THE SACRIFICE OF

CHRIST. IF AFTER YOU HAVE REPENTED AND CONFESSED YOU

SIN TO GOD YOU FEEL THAT YOU MUST DO SOMETHING TO GAIN

GOD'S APPROVAL AND FAVOR YOU ARE BEING MOTIVATED BY A

RELIGIOUS SPIRIT: I NEED TO READ MY BIBLE MORE OR I NEED

TO WITNESS TO SOMEONE. I DARE TO SAY THAT ALOT OF

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY IN THE CHURCH TODAY IS INSPIRED BY A

RELIGIOUS SPIRIT THAT CAN PRODUCE NOTHING BUT DEATH.

IN FACT RELIGIOUS SPIRITS OPPOSE THE REAL WORKS OF GOD.

THAT LAST MOVE OF GOD ALWAYS PERSECUTES THE NEXT MOVE OF

GOD. A RELIGIOUS SPIRIT IS CHARACTERIZED BY SELF-RIGHT-

EOUSNESS, SUPERIORITY AND PRIDE. LOOK WHAT JESUS SAID

ABOUT THE SELF RIGHTEOUS PHARISEE IN:

Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith

Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled

again with the yoke of bondage. (KJV)

SHOULDN'T DO THIS AND YOU SHOULDN'T DO THAT IF YOU'RE

GONNA BE A GOOD CHRISTIAN. CHRISTIANITY IS NOT ABOUT

WHAT YOU CAN'T DO ITS ABOUT LIVING THE ABUNDANT LIFE AND

DISPLAYING THE GRACE OF GOD TO PEOPLE WHO ARE LOST AND

WITHOUT CHRIST.

Luke 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which

trusted in themselves that they were

righteous, and despised others: (KJV)

Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the

one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with

himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as

other men are, extortioners, unjust,

adulterers, or even as this publican. (KJV)

Luke 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of

all that I possess. (KJV)

'R' RATED MOVIES AND I DON'T DO THIS AND I DON'T DO THAT

AND I'M NOT LIKE OTHER WICKED PEOPLE LIKE JOHN SPARTZ.

I THANK YOU O GOD THAT I TITHE, THAT I FAST TWICE A

WEEK, I MARCH WITH THE PRO-LIFE MOVEMENT AND I TOOK PART

IN THE MARCH FOR JESUS LAST WEEK AND I AM AGAINST PORO-

AGRAPHY, HALLELUJAH AND I AM WORTHY OF YOUR FAVOR. AND

GOD SAYS YOU STINK!!! NOW LET'S READ ABOUT THE

PUBLICAN:

Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would

not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven,

but smote upon his breast, saying, God be

merciful to me a sinner. (KJV)

Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house

justified rather than the other: for every

one that exalteth himself shall be abased;

and he that humbleth himself shall be

exalted. (KJV)

GOT NOTHING. THE RELIGIOUS SPIRIT IS SELF-RIGHTEOUS IN

THAT IT SEES ITSELF WORTHY OF THE FAVOR OF GOD DETER-

MINED BY ITS OWN EFFORT. WHAT DO YOU DO THAT YOU THINK

MERITS YOU FAVOR WITH GOD AND I WILL SHOW YOU A

RELIGIOUS SPIRIT. AND YOU SAY, 'BOY IF I KNEW THAT I

SURELY WOULDN'T BE DOING....WELL, HELLO TO LIBERTY.

LOOK WHAT PAUL SAYS ABOUT THIS LIBERTY:

Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto

liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion

to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even

in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as

thyself. (KJV)

Gal 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take

heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye

shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (KJV)

Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and

the Spirit against the flesh: and these are

contrary the one to the other: so that ye

cannot do the things that ye would. (KJV)

Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not

under the law. (KJV)

OUR HEARTS TO BE MOTIVATED AND INSPIRED BY THE RIGHT

KIND OF SPIRIT, GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT, WHEN WE WORK OR DO

ANY KIND OF ACTIVITY IN CHURCH OR IN OUR CHRISTIAN

LIVES. WE CAN NEVER EARN FAVOR WITH GOD WE MUST ALWAYS

HUMBLE OURSELVES AS LITTLE CHILDREN AND RECEIVE HIS

UNMERITED, UNEARNED AND UNQUALIFIED FAVOR AND GRACE.

RELIGIOUS PEOPLE ARE JUDGEMENTAL, CRITICAL AND DESTRUC-

TIVE BUT PEOPLE WHO LIVE UNDER GOD'S GRACE ARE MERCIFUL

AND GRACIOUS THEMSELVES. GOD IS WANTING TO REPRODUCE

THE SWEETNESS OF GRACE IN OUR LIVES SO THAT THOSE WHO

ARE LOST AND WITHOUT CHRIST CAN BE ATTRACTED TO THE LIFE

OF GOD THAT RESIDES WITHIN US. LET'S DETERMINE IN OUR

HEARTS TO USE THIS GREAT LIBERTY AND FREEDOM WE HAVE TO

SERVE ONE ANOTHER AND BE GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL TO ONE

ANOTHER. NOW, NEXT WEEK WE WILL LOOK MORE CLOSELY AT

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A RELIGIOUS SPIRIT.