A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (February 16, 2015)
But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit. (Romans 7:6, NLT)
I don’t know that I have the words to adequately explain to you what we are seeing in our ministry to individuals, and especially to married couples. However, this subject is so important I feel like we have to try.
The Apostles were constantly trying to explain to the Jewish believers that they were no longer under the law. Paul especially got incensed about this subject and called the Galatians foolish for even considering to go back to the bondages and hardness of the law.
Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? (Galatians 3:3)
Now, for the most part we Christians discount this because we think we are not Jewish and therefore would never even think of abiding by the Jewish law. I think that is a mistake because what we see happening is very similar in nature. Let me explain.
Many of the Christian people we have ministered to have made the Bible a law in itself, without any consideration of the Spirit. This is especially true in marriages where husbands have used certain scriptures to rule with an iron fist. They disregard other scriptures that bring balance to this issue, do not consult the Spirit, and disregard the actions of Jesus.
One of the things that has helped me the most in interpreting scripture is to look at what Jesus did in the flesh. For example, how did He treat women and how does that compare to how we interpret the Word? Did he tell them not to speak to the men? The answer to that is no!
I am a firm believer that you need the Spirit to teach you the truth. You can read the Bible in a religious way (similar to the law) or you can let the Spirit interpret it for you. The religious way will always develop in you a hard heart and promote bondage and death. The Spirit way will always produce a compassionate heart, truth, life and liberty.
Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws , but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:6, NLT)
The more I see this hard religious spirit the more I am convinced that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is essential to walking in the freedom and liberty that Jesus intended for us to walk in. I don’t think you will be able to have eyes to see or ears to hear without this gift. A religious spirit blinds us to the truth.
We encourage you today to read the Book of Acts for yourself. Let the Spirit of God teach you what the “Promise” is. Look at the birthing of the Church at Ephesus and see what they experienced. I am convinced the Spirit will teach you. And then, ASK your heavenly Father for this precious gift so you can be led by the Spirit!!!
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” (Luke 11:13)
John answered, saying unto them all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I cometh, the straps of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. (Luke 3:16)
However when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He shall not speak from Himself, but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will show you things to come. (John 16:13)
