It should be obvious to any Christian: of course we are Jesus’ side, that’s a given. However, and very often the ‘however’ makes all the difference. However, there are two broad streams: one that flows from the heart of God towards us: a grace or unmerited favor stream and then there’s a stream that has God’s grace somewhere in the picture but really focuses on our efforts to line up with a system of principles – a value set.
God is interested in us living right – don’t misunderstand me, but how we get there is key.
He wants us to feed from the ‘tree of life’ (Jesus), not the ‘tree of the knowledge of good and evil’ (Genesis 2:16-17). Knowledge of good and evil is all around us for the picking – just switch on your smartphone or computer and you’re there.
However, to feed off the tree of life takes ‘revelation’ of the person of Jesus: His person, nature, work on the cross, plan and purpose for our lives, something God gives as His gift to us.
It all boils down to what comes first: the person or the principles. With God it’s always the person…the teachings or principles follow in their place as a fruit of relationship.
Religions try to reach up to God. God in His grace reached down to us and established a relationship through Christ by means of covenant.
We need a savior from slavery to sin and it’s power, then we are free to live for Him. It’s not the other way round.
Romans 4:16-21
16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed,