Notice on a slight format change:

Except for July 2012, these are mostly a collection of current devotional notes.

July 2012 is a re-write of old quiet times. My second child was born Nov 11, 1987 with multiple birth defects. I've been re-reading my QT notes from that time in my life, and have included them here. They cover the time before the birth and the few years immediately after the birth. They are tagged "historical." I added new insights and labeled them: ((TODAY, dd mmm yy)).

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

QT 3 May 11

Col 2:13-17 (NIV) When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

NOTE: Clearly the people were not following the law prior to Christ, since they are called "uncircumcision."  But when we believed, God made us spiritually alive.  He forgave all our sin.  And most importantly he canceled the written code with its regulations.  That is why verse 16 says that no one can judge us by dietary or ceremonial regulations (the law).  As the book of Hebrews also says, they are a shadow of the things that were to come, the reality is found in Christ.  The law points us to Christ.  It does not augment nor does it replace.  Christ replaces the law.  It says that he took it away.  He nailed it to the cross, the symbol of death and suffering.  They have no power or bind upon our life.

It hurts my soul so much to see people who want to be under the regulation of the OT law when there is freedom in Jesus Christ.  Why do we insist on wanting to be under the law?  Why do we need a checklist to measure our spiritual growth?  Why can we not focus on getting to know God, and allowing him to change the inner person?

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