A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day – July 8, 2019
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom]. (2 Corinthians 3:17, Amplified Bible)
The Word of God is quick (alive), powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. In the hands of a sincere believer that has a relationship with Jesus, hears the Holy Spirit, and rightly divides the Word, it can change lives, heal bodies, and deliver those in darkness. In the hands of a religious person that does not have a relationship with Jesus, does not hear the Holy Spirit, and does not rightly divide the Word, it can put people in bondage.
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63)
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. (2 Corinthians 3:6)
You may ask, how do I distinguish between the two? Good question!!! Here are a few clues or red flags that will alert you to the letter of the law. It will include a lot of rules and regulations. It will be a lot of dos and do nots which boils down to a works theology. Teaching and preaching by the Spirit will center in on a relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. You will not need a rules handbook if you have a close relationship with Jesus. You won’t be told or warned not to do certain things because you will not want to do those things anyway. Your thirsts will change. Your wants and desires will change.
Trying to keep the law is impossible. It will frustrate you and the enemy will use your failures to condemn and accuse you. He will use your defeats to try to convince you that you will never make it as a follower of Jesus. Many people have been defeated by the enemy by trying to follow the letter of the law.
We need to remember that the Bible was written by men of God that were inspired by the Holy Spirit. If that is true (and it is) then who better to teach us the Word than the Holy Spirit.
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:27)
Jesus is the Word made flesh. He wants to talk to you. There are things He wants you to know that you will never get out of a sermon from a pastor or evangelist. Only Jesus and the Holy Spirit can personalize the Word for you and can bring it alive related to your personal situation. Man cannot do that!!!
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13)
