John 1:17 NIV
For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could see God for who He really is? What would He say about the state of humanity? About religion? About our own propensity toward sin? There is no need to wonder about what God is like because to know Him, we have only to look at Jesus. In Jesus we have received grace, but there is even something more that we have received. We have received truth.
The kind of truth John is talking about in this passage is not a list of laws and rules such as were given to Moses. Make no mistake; the revelation of God through the word of the law was glorious. When Moses came down from Mount Sinai after receiving the commandments, his face shone so brightly with the glory of God that he had to wear a veil. But the word of the law cannot compare with the word of life that has been revealed through Jesus Christ!
In John 1:18, we are told that no one – not even Moses – had ever seen God. But Jesus has not only seen God; He is God. The truth that John is speaking about is a clear and unveiled vision of the true nature of God. When we try to look at God through the lens of legalism and religion, it is like looking at Him through a veil. Only when we see Him though Jesus Christ can we truly get a glimpse into His heart. It is from a state of grace, not legalism, that we will find real and lasting transformation. (2 Corinthians 3:7-18)
Have you been looking at God through the veil of legalism and religion?
In Jesus, we see the full revelation of the nature of God – His love and holiness, mercy and justice, compassion and power all perfectly and beautifully expressed. Pray that the Holy Spirit will help you see God through the eyes of grace and truth given to us in Jesus Christ.
FATHER'S DAY IS JUNE 19.
Family Fast Day 5
ReplyDeleteI decided today was a taco and spaghetti day - meatless, of course. Below are the recipes that I came up with. I pray you are having a wonderful time in the Lord during your fast. Happy Fasting!
Breakfast - fruit - banana, apple, or orange
Lunch - Taco Rice Mix
Supper - Spaghetti, Salad, & Wheat Tortillas
Taco Rice Mix
1 cup brown rice
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp each oregano, cumin, & garlic powder
2 tsp chili powder
Dash red pepper flakes
2 TBSP dry onion
Mix the above ingredients together.
1 cup tomatoes chopped small
2 TBSP oil
2 cups water
This meal is easy to double for a large family like mine.
Heat oil in a 2 qt saucepan. Add the Mix. Saute' the rice and seasonings in the hot oil until the rice is toasty and slightly opaque. Add the tomato sauce and water. Stir it up and bring it to a boil. When it starts to boil, cover the pan with a good lid and reduce the heat to very low. Cook 45 minutes.
Tomato Sauce
2 TBSP olive oil
1 medium yellow onion (chopped)
1 Bell Pepper (chopped)
3 tomatoes (in the food processor) or 2 cans diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
1 can tomato paste
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Salt & Pepper to taste
1/4 cup cilantro - finely chopped
Saute' onions and pepper over medium heat until soft. Blend tomatoes and cilantro together. Add tomato mix, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Simmer until slightly thickedned, about 10 minutes. Serve over whole wheat pasta. Can be served with rice also.