It is finished!

It is finished! Our place in the relationship with God has been restored to it original intent. Jesus has paid this price in full. We find our self back in the garden sort of speak. We have the same choice Adam was given in the garden. We can grow into a fulfilling relationship with God or eat of the tree this life offer’s, which is a form of truth just like the form of truth Adam, was deceived with in the first place.

This world’s form of truth is based on what you do, in order to restore the relationship. It is performance based. Organized Religion is the greatest offender of this. Righteousness does not produce relationship. Relationship with God produces righteousness. You can do right all your life working hard to build a righteous character, but be separated from God because you have no love for others. Love is the key ingredient in all relationships. If you can’t get along with others you’re going to have a tough time understanding the bases of this freedom we have in Christ (love).

The prodigal son story sums it up. The father in this story is just like God, full of love for his two sons. The one son asked for his inheritance and chose to do it on his own, alot like Adam did in the garden. After coming to the end of himself he discovered how great of a father he really had. He did not discover this until he was broken. He was willing to work with the pigs his dad owned because he knew his father was a man who loved people. He treated his servants well, well enough for this son to long to work for him. As the son returned the Bible tells us He was watching for him even though he had no idea if or when his son may return. When the father saw his son way out in the fields coming his way, he ran to him and put his best robe on him and his family ring back on his finger. He had the servants kill the best livestock and serve it at the party for his sons return. The one son that had not gone astray did not join the party because he was upset. Upset because he thought he did every thing right and deserved more than the one that went out on his own. This second brother had no love in his heart. This is where we miss it. You can fear God and do your best but your best will never be enough. Sin is going at it on your own. We know he went at it on his own because of his response.

I have lived on both sides of this story. I have been the prodigal son and I have also been the one that did all I could do to live right then get ticked off when some one did not live the way I thought they should.

The problem with going at it on your own is when you have achieved what you have set out to do; you did it on your own. When you do it on your own the only righteousness you achieve is self righteousness. There is no relationship there. We become a judge based on the knowledge that we did it, why can’t they do it!

What Jesus did at the cross was a personal invite into a relationship with him. He died for our sin so you could live a life free of sin. Sin has no power any more God redeemed it! The only power sin has is the power we give it. You do still reap what you sow, don’t make that mistake. Trust me!

God has restored the relationship he originally created for us. It is your choice to remain in it or go at it on your own. You, just like Adam can walk with God or eat of the fruit of this world.

Galatians 2:19
For when I tried to keep the law, I realized I could never earn God’s approval. So I died to the law so that I might live for God.

Galatians 3:5
I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the Law of Moses? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ. (the message of love)

Galatians 5:3, 4
I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised (religious), you must obey all of the regulations in the whole Law of Moses. For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law. You have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen from Gods Grace.
The law represents our independence from God. We are under a new contract; one with a relationship with God through Jesus. Build this relationship and watch the sin in your life be pushed out. That is how Jesus does it. He loves it out of you. You then desire to live with him with out any self seeking desires. That is what sin is; making yourself lord of your life. Give up your desire to be lord and watch God heal your land!