“May the God of hope bring you such joy and peace in your faith that the power of the Holy Spirit will remove all bounds to hope.”
Romans 15:13 (Jerusalem Bible) 

I’m sure that with me you have tears in your eyes for the beleaguered people of Moore, Oklahoma as they come to terms with the devastation that surrounds them in the aftermath of that huge tornado that clawed its way through their community. Old people, young people, children and animals have all been terrified and hurt and sadly some have died. They have had their homes, schools and communities completely ripped away so that in most cases, nothing remains but a few pieces of wreckage and they stand beside it stunned, tearful, and waiting for reality to kick in, or to wake up from a nightmare. 

It’s hard for us to suffer with them, to feel their pain and anguish but we must seek to do just that, to hope for a brighter tomorrow and a better future for the folks of Moore, Oklahoma. What do we often say? “There but for the grace of God go I!” That’s so true. 

Hope! This is the answer; in the midst of disaster hope is vitally important. Hope will stand up in the storm, hope will be defiant, hope will be tenacious and refuse to become despondent. 

On the other hand, hope is not always strong; sometimes it is small, trembling and fragile because when we choose hope we are going out on a limb. But there is always a place for this small, whispering, and gentle hope; as Christopher Reeve the actor once said, “Once you choose hope, anything’s possible!” George Iles said, “Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark!” And writer, Anne Lamott, puts it; “Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come.” 

Let’s pray fervently for those dear people in the midst of their bewilderment and sadness; that our great God would fill their lives with his peace and faith and hope for a better future for that small community in Oklahoma. 

Prayer
God of all hope, we commit this devastated community to your tender care, hold them close and pour out all your amazing blessings upon each and every one of them. Comfort them with you amazing love.
Amen 

Study by Cliff Neill

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 About the Author:
Cliff Neill is an Elder in Grace Communion Church Luton.

Local  Congregation:
Grace Communion Church Luton
Farley Hill Methodist Church
North Drift Way
Farley Hill
LUTON
LU1 5JE

Meeting time:
Saturday 10:30am

Local Congregational Contact:
Harry Sullivan
Phone:  01908-582222
Email: harry_sullivan@wcg.org.uk

“…having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross”.
Colossians 2: 14 (NKJ)

Earlier this week my wife and I were subjected to a rigorous customs check in Europe. The officers seemed cold, almost hostile, as they went through every last bit of our luggage. One opened my diary and read it page by page. “What are you looking for?” I asked. “We are just doing our job”, was the reply.

What was odd about this search was that it happened when we exited the country involved. Typically checks occur when you enter a country, not upon departure. They were making sure everything was acceptable before we left.

The reading of my diary brought to mind a common misconception. It is that, as we depart this life, everything we have said, done and thought is analyzed. Books are opened, and our past is laid bare. Is there anything we have to declare as we pass over into life after life?

Such thinking is wrong on several levels. First of all, Jesus has conquered death. Any perceived hold death has on us has been removed. We are not judged by what we have or don’t have at the moment of our exit from this world into whatever the next may be. And, because Jesus has overcome the power of death, there is no need to be afraid.

Also, there is no list of requirements of things we need to have in order before we die. That is what the scripture above explains. The Colossians thought there were regulations with which they had to comply so that all would be in order spiritually when they died. Not so, Paul told them. All such ideas were nailed to the cross of Christ.

In any case Jesus has done everything for us. Our obedience is a participation in his obedience to the Father. Our point of departure is about what Jesus has done and prepared for us, not about the righteous or unrighteous things we may have done.

 In Jesus we have been declared forgiven and accepted by God.

Prayer
Great God, thank you that Jesus has prepared for the moment of our death and for the reassurance that gives us.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen

james.henderson@gracecom.org.uk

_________________________________________________________________

 About the Author:
James Henderson is the National Ministry Leader for Grace Communion International in the UK and Ireland.  You are welcome to attend any of our Church congregations located throughout the UK.  For details of your nearest local congregation, check on our website, www.wcg.org.uk under the ‘Churches’ tab, or ring +44 (0)1858 437099.

Contact:
Email:  admin@daybyday.org.uk

“For as lightening that comes from the east is visible even in the West, so will be the coming of the Son of man.”
Matthew 24:27 (NIV) 

There have been many occasions in history when people have claimed falsely to be Jesus. As Christians, we all eagerly await the second coming of Christ. How can we be sure that we do not mistake a false Christ for the real Christ? Since Jesus himself said that, “about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36). 

Well, Jesus tells us that his return is going to be a momentous event, so momentous in fact, that his return will be seen by almost everyone, like the moon and stars in the sky at night, or the sun in the sky during the day. As the heading scripture says, “For as lightening that comes from the east is visible even in the West, so will be the coming of the Son of man.” 

There is also another sign, and this is that all the nations of the earth will mourn at Christ’s second coming. Matthew 24:30 says, “And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.” 

Every now and again we hear of leaders whom people have chosen to follow.  These leaders may be charismatic, or may be performing other signs, even great miraculous signs.  But they are deceiving their followers if they claim to be Jesus and/or God. 

So remember what Jesus said, “At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look! Here is the Christ!’ Or , ‘There he is!’ Do not believe it. False Christs and false prophets will appear.  They will do great signs and miracles. They will try to fool God’s chosen people if possible. See, I have told you ahead of time. So if anyone tells you, ‘He is far out in the desert,’ do not go out there. Or if anyone says, ‘He is deep inside the house,’ do not believe it” (Matthew 24:23-26). When Jesus returns, those who love Jesus will know Jesus has returned for the second time as he promised. 

Prayer
Dear heavenly Father, help us not to be deceived by false prophets as we wait for Christ’s return. We ask this in and through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Amen

Study by Kevin Shaw

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About the Author:
Kevin Shaw is Chairperson of the Pastoral Council in the Norwich congregation of the Worldwide Church of God.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Norwich
New Hope Christian Centre
Martineau Lane
NORWICH
NR1 2HX

Meeting time:
Saturday 10:30am

Local Congregational Contact:
Tony Goudie
Phone: 01508 498165
Mobile: 07931 580409
Email:  tony_goudie@wcg.org.uk

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Matthew 5:8 (NIV)

Mention Pride and Prejudice to many people and they will smile.  If you are female the dashing Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy might well make you grin. However the gentlemen may well admire the feisty Miss Elizabeth Bennet.  Literature critics describe Mr Darcy’s character as having an ‘aloof decorum and rectitude which are seen by many as an excessive pride.’  Critics describe Miss Bennet as’ intelligent, lively, attractive and witty but with a tendency to judge on first impression (the ‘prejudice’ of the title).’   Jane Austen weaves a romantic tale around the weaknesses of the two protagonists.  Will they or won’t they marry – the reader is enticed as the story unfolds.

If God were a part of this story – how would he react to the character traits of pride and prejudice?  The answer lies in His word.  In 1Samuel 2:3 we read, “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.”  If you are still unsure of how God feels about pride, note the warning in Proverbs 16:5 ‘The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.”  There are countless references to pride and its negative consequences in the Bible.

The definition of ‘prejudice’ in the Oxford Dictionary is ‘preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience:’   i.e. judging.  Jesus is succinct about the human tendency to judge.  “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (Matthew 7:1).  The apostle Paul expressed tremendous insight into the human mind when he wrote, “You are judging by appearances.  If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do.” (2 Corinthians 10:7).

There we have it, while we can enjoy reading Jane Austen, it is also worthwhile remembering to be ever vigilant that we do not follow the example of Mr Darcy or Miss Bennet – the outcome could be extremely costly in spiritual terms and I am sure Miss Austen would agree!

Prayer
Great loving Father of us all, we ask that we can avoid the pitfalls of pride and prejudice.  As your children we aspire to be pure in thought, word and deed, achieved only by the power of your Holy Spirit.
Amen

__________________________________________________________________

About the Author:
Irene Wilson is a Deaconess in the Watford Congregation of the Worldwide Church of God, where she also serves on the Pastoral Council.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Watford
St. Peter’s Church
61 Westfield Avenue
Watford, Herts.
WD24 7HF

Meeting Time:
Saturday 11AM

Local Congregational Contact:
George Henderson
Phone:  01923-855570
Email: george-sue.henderson@tesco.net

“Nicodemus (he who came to Jesus by night, being one of them) said to them, ‘does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?’ They answered and said to him, ‘Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.’”
John 7:50-52 (NKJV) 

Accents fascinate me! And I find myself trying to guess where in the world people are from by the way they speak. Jesus spoke with an accent, a Galilean accent, and it seems as if everyone from Galilee was looked down upon as uneducated and crude! This was just another aspect of Jesus’ life that enraged the religious hierarchy in Judea—how is it that this uneducated person could speak with authority and actually perform miracles? Surely that can’t be right; he’s not one of us! 

Apparently, one of the reasons for their strange accent was the fact that the Aramaic spoken by Judeans and Galileans was different—it seems that many guttural sounds in Galilean Aramaic had disappeared over the centuries, and apparently they dropped their ‘aitches’! And the Bible refers to the distinctive dialect of Galilee a number of times. We read in Matthew 26:69, 73, “Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, ‘You also were with Jesus of Galilee.’” Of course, Peter denied that he even knew Jesus, and then one bystander said to him, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” Poor Peter he got caught out by his accent! 

Notice this also In John 1:45-46, when Philip found Nathaniel and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathaniel said to Him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’” This was obviously a common expression concerning the people who lived north of the hostile province of Samaria—the people up there are crude and uneducated; even their accent is strange; no wonder Isaiah refers to that place as ‘Galilee of the Gentiles!’ (Isaiah 9:1). 

Then on the day of Pentecost, after Jesus had ascended to his Father, his disciples were all filled with the power that He had promised. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). But notice the reaction of those people who heard them; people from all over the known world at that time—“Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?” (Verse 7). In other words, we must be hearing things how is it possible for these common people to preach in our own language “the wonderful works of God?” (Verse 11). The answer to their question of course is—by the Spirit of God who takes us beyond accents and education! 

Prayer
Thanks to you, Holy Father, that you love us all no matter where we come from, or how we speak.
Amen

_________________________________________________________

 About the Author:
Cliff Neill is an Elder in Grace Communion Church Luton, the Worldwide Church of God UK Congregation in Luton.

Local  Congregation:
Grace Communion Church Luton
Farley Hill Methodist Church
North Drift Way
Farley Hill
LUTON
LU1 5JE

Meeting time:
Saturday 10:30am

Local Congregational Contact:
Harry Sullivan
Phone:  01908-582222
Email: harry_sullivan@wcg.org.uk

 “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
1 Corinthians 15:22 (NIV) 

I recently lost my mother, who, although she would watch ‘Songs of Praise’, never really committed her life to Christ. 

How many Christians worry about those who are currently not saved? Are those who never heard or understood the Gospel in this age lost forever? Would an all loving God allow so many to simply slip through His fingers only to end up in hell? 

There is an order for resurrections; yes, there is more than one resurrection. “But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to Him.” (1 Cor. 15:23). Clearly, those who have come to know Christ in this present age will be resurrected first. Continuing in 1 Corinthians 15, “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound , the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality” (v. 51-53). However these verses only apply to those who are, or have been, in Christ. 

So, then, what of those who haven’t had their hearts and minds open to the gospel? This would include the vast majority of those who have ever lived. Ezekiel 37 is a whole chapter dedicated to those who have lived and died not knowing Christ! “This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.” (v. 5-6). 

This is a resurrection for those who died originally without a knowledge of Christ who now have their opportunity for their minds to be opened to the Gospel and live godly lives. “I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years had ended.) This is the first resurrection.” (Rev. 20:4-5). Note that the rest, those having died without Christ, were appointed a later resurrection. Continuing in Revelation 20:11-12: “Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 

God has a plan for each and every one of us, “…not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). 

Prayer
Loving Heavenly Father, thank you that you are all merciful, wishing that all should come to repentance, accepting Christ as Saviour. Comfort those who mourn the loss of loved ones that they will come to know they will live again. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen 

Study by Paul Bartlett

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 About the Author:
Paul Bartlett attends the Exeter Congregation of the Worldwide Church of God UK.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Exeter
America Hall
De La Rue Way
Pinhoe
EXETER
EX4 8PX

Meeting time:
Saturday 11:00am

Local Congregational Contact:
Mike Barlow
Phone: -1363-774343
Email: mikebarlow234@btinternet.com

“’ej chaHvaD jatlh: peghoS ’ej qo’ naQDaq De’ QaQ yImaq. chenpu’bogh Hoch yImaq.”
Mark 16:15 (with acknowledgement to The Klingon Bible Translation Project)

Don’t worry—I’m not speaking in tongues. I’m just reading this well-known passage where Jesus tells his disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel—in Klingon, the language of a warrior race from the StarTrek universe. They don’t really exist, of course. But you’d better not say that to dedicated Trekkers. They take these things pretty seriously, seriously enough to have invented an entire language for the Klingons. Not just a few words, but a complete language with grammar and syntax. And yes, someone has even begun to translate the Bible into Klingon.

Of course, it’s not likely that many people will become students of the Klingon translation of the Bible, but translating the ancient text of the Bible into spoken languages has long been important work. 2011 marked the 400^th anniversary of the King James Bible, the Authorised Version as it’s known in Great Britain. I know the King James Version seems old fashioned to us now but, when it was originally published, it was intended as a translation that could easily be understood by ordinary people.

As you probably know, what we call the Old Testament originates from a text written in the Hebrew language. Parts of the New Testament originate from Greek and other parts in Aramaic. The Old Testament itself also had been translated from Hebrew to Greek long before Jesus was born, and it was the Greek translation of the Old Testament that was most common in Jesus’ day.

To translate these ancient languages into English—or any other language for that matter—is a complex task. The men who laboured to produce the King James Version 400 years ago did a pretty good job—considering the limited number of ancient texts they had available.

Today, we have discovered older and more reliable ancient texts to work from. In addition, archaeological discoveries and research have allowed us to know so much more about how those ancient languages were used than was known 400 years ago. As a result, in comparison, modern versions of the Scriptures are more accurate. There are literally dozens of versions easily available now. We are almost spoiled for choice and I’m often asked which is the ‘best’ translation. But, I must say, I am hesitant to answer that question. It often depends on personal preference or intended use. The serious Bible student is probably going to make use of several different versions—although I’m not sure where the Klingon version might fit in.

It’s a blessing to have such a variety of good translations, and to have the freedom of choice between them. It hasn’t always been that way. There have been times when even to possess a Bible in your native language would have meant a death sentence. Tragically, there are places in the world where that is still true.

And of the world’s 6,900 known languages, there are still 2,100 that don’t have a Bible translation. There are also millions of people living in poverty that would find it a rare treasure to own a Bible.

For us, this book may no longer be rare, but it’s still a treasure, and we can thank God for the expertise and devotion of all those who have laboured so hard through the centuries, often risking their lives, to make it possible for us to read the Bible in our own languages.

Prayer
Thank you, holy Father, that you have preserved for us your Word. We live in an age where there have probably never been more translations of the Bible, but fewer understand it, or even read it. Yet it is your handbook, Father, for our future. Help us to treasure its contents, rather than its presence. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen

Study by Joseph Tkach

*Note: The Klingon version is not yet published but parts are available on line from the Klingon Bible Translation Project.

________________________________________________________

About the Author:
Joseph Tkach is the President of Grace Communion International (the Denominational name of The Worldwide Church of God UK), and resides in California, USA.

You are welcome to attend one of our local Church congregations located throughout the UK.  For details of your nearest local congregation, check on our website, www.wcg.org.uk under the ‘Churches’ tab, or ring +44 (0)1858 437099.

Contact:
Email:  admin@daybyday.org.uk

 “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift … for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;”
Ephesians 4:7, 12-13 (NKJV UK)

In looking at the foundational doctrines, Paul’s next item in his list of fundamentals, is actually a part of the previous study on baptism. He says: “not laying again the foundation of…laying on of hands…” (Hebrews 6:1-2).

Following our act of commitment, baptism in water, this next item is God’s response. He commits to us by giving, through the laying on of hands, the gift of the Holy Spirit.

To modern ears this may smack of something alien and mystical. But it is commonly found within the Bible and ancient custom that the laying on of hands by one to another is the means of passing on a blessing. Paul writes to Timothy: “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but [rather a Spirit] of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:6-7, my supply of the ellipsis).

The Holy Spirit is the gift of God to us. The Holy Spirit is called “the paraclete” in the passage following. This Greek word can be translated as “the one who walks alongside” hence “helper”. We are in partnership with God. We don’t depend on our own strength, willpower and human resources. God has given the Christian His strength, His willpower and spiritual resources. The Holy Spirit acts as Christ’s representative in our minds. He has been charged by Christ to act for us, with us, to be “another” helper (the paraclete), as Christ was the first helper (John 14:16-18).

But notice, we are responsible for what we do with the Holy Spirit. We are to stir up ourselves and utilise this great gift. Paul reminds Timothy: “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by…the laying on of the hands of the eldership” (1 Timothy 4:14). And this great gift comes through the proper offices of the church.

Have you noticed how each of the foundational items Paul lists builds one after the other? It begins with personal commitment to repent, and concludes here with a response from the church. We’ll examine this relationship in another study.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, in every way you support us, strengthen us, care for us. Truly the Christian is not alone. You promised to come to the Christian; you promised that we would not be left as orphans. Again, the realisation of this is truly mind numbing in magnificence. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen

Study by John Stettaford

About the Author:
John Stettaford is an Elder in the Reading Congregation of the Worldwide Church of God UK.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Reading
Prospect School, 6th Form Common Room
Honey End Lane
READING
RG30 4EL

Meeting time:
Saturday 11am

Local Congregational Contact:
John Stettaford
Phone:  01923-241426
Email: pastor@wcg-reading.org.uk

“You are the salt of the earth.”

Matthew 5:13 (NIV UK) 

Most of us are familiar with the scripture above. I have heard many sermons themed around it. Also, it has been quoted in different ways. One of my favourite quotes is from the English writer, Rebecca West. She said, “nobody likes salt being rubbed into their wounds, even if it is the salt of the earth”. 

Another quote is from the Sadhu Sundar Singh, an Indian Christian missionary. Singh, who had been a member of the Sikh faith, accepted the grace of Christ in 1903 and went on to preach in India and Tibet until his death in 1929. He referred to salt in this way, “Salt, when dissolved in water, may disappear but it does not cease to exist. We can be sure of its presence by tasting the water. Likewise, the indwelling Spirit, though unseen, will be made evident to others from the love which He imparts to us”. 

Pentecost is often a time when Christians think about evangelism. We see it as a reminder to engage in mission through the power of God’s Spirit within us. We, who are the salt of earth, desire to bring others to Christ that they may taste and see that the Lord is good. 

Both of the quotations about salt have something to tell us about evangelism. Evangelism involves gentleness, especially when people are vulnerable in some way. Also, evangelism is not our work: it is the work of the invisible Spirit who witnesses to Christ’s love within us. 

As we spread the gospel in word and in deed, let’s be gentle and let the Spirit do Christ’s work of love in and through us. 

Prayer
Heavenly Father, let others taste of your salvation through the work of the Spirit within us. In Jesus’ name.
Amen

_______________________________________________________________

About the Author:
James Henderson is the National Ministry Leader for Grace Communion International in the UK and Ireland.  You are welcome to attend any of our Church congregations located throughout the UK.  For details of your nearest local congregation, check on our website, www.wcg.org.uk under the ‘Churches’ tab, or ring +44 (0)1858 437099.

Contact:
Email:  admin@daybyday.org.uk

 “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1 (NIV) 

According to the British Library, Magna Carta is one of the most celebrated documents in history. The year 2015 will mark the 800^th anniversary of when King John assented to the text of Magna Carta at a meeting with his barons at Runnymede in 1215. Some commemorations, however, will occur this year because the barons, who eventually forced King John to submit to their demands, first met at St Albans in 1213. The charter marked a key step in the journey from absolute monarchy to today’s constitutional format, and required King John of England to proclaim certain liberties and to accept that he could not enforce his arbitrary will on freemen. The 1297 version had the long title “The Great Charter of the Liberties of England.” This year St. Albans is planning a Magna Carta exhibition which currently is entitled, “The Journey Starts Here.” 

Many commentaries acknowledge that Paul’s letter to the Galatians has been called the Magna Carta of spiritual liberty. In the verse quoted above, Paul makes a bold statement that in Christ we have liberty. The Galatians were encouraged to stand firm and maintain that freedom lest they come under a yoke of slavery. The letter shows that one way this can occur is through legalism.

Paul begins by reminding the Galations of where their Christian journey started, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.” (Galatians 1:6). The journey started when God called them “by” or “in” the grace of Christ. The Galatians were moving, not to paganism but to a gospel that required them to be under the Old Covenant law. “Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says?” Paul asks in Galatians 4:21.  He then interprets the narrative of Abraham’s two wives figuratively, where Hagar represents the Old covenant, including the law, given at Mt Sinai. “One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves. This is Hagar.” (Galatians 4:24). 

Paul continues by proving from scripture that the Old covenant is no longer applicable. “But what does the scripture say? Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” (Galatians 4:30). Our spiritual inheritance does not come through the law. Law and grace cannot be combined, they are incompatible, “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing.” (Galatians 2:21) “You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.” (Galatians 5:4) Grace is about the free gift of salvation through all that Christ has done in our stead; legalism is all about what is claimed the individual must do to gain, or not to lose, salvation. It contends that there is another route to salvation through personal performance and is seen by Paul as setting aside or falling away from grace. The law has been superseded by faith in Christ, “Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 2:16) At a time when Magna Carta is celebrated perhaps it is also time to reflect on our spiritual freedom in Christ and Paul’s letter that announces it. 

Prayer
Father, we thank you for the freedom we have in Christ and the free gift of justification, righteousness and salvation that we receive through your Son.
Amen 

Study by Eddie Marsh

________________________________

About the Author:
Eddie Marsh attends the Sheffield congregation of the Worldwide Church of God UK.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Sheffield
Please phone or email for Meeting Place

Meeting time:
Saturday 10:30am

Local Congregational Contact:
Email: sheffield@gracecom.org.uk