King of ThornsSample

1st Day

When we open the Bible, we see that the Book is divided into two main sections. The Old Testament and the New Testament. Another word for testament is “covenant”. Covenant, according to the dictionary, is “a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action.” In other words, the Bible shares two written agreements that were sealed by two parties for the performance of some action. In more basic terms, the Old Testament was man’s attempt to connect with God and the New Testament is God’s success to connect with man.

The Old Testament was about keeping the laws and the commandments that God gave man to be in right standing with Him. The New Testament emphasizes that to receive right standing with God is impossible by the works of the law, only by the grace of God and faith in the sacrifice of Jesus, can one be saved. You cannot be spotless before God by keeping the laws of the Old Testament. That is the whole point of the cross of Jesus. He did what we could not do, and that is to obtain righteousness from God. And through faith in Him, we receive that righteousness and become partakers in His glory.

Christianity is not about DOING the works of God but rather about BECOMING a vessel filled with the works of God. We are only called to one thing that pleases God and that is faith. Faith in Jesus and walking by faith in Him. The law of the Old Testament is the strength of sin, while the grace of the New Testament is the strength for righteousness. You can’t perform as a Christian, it will wear you out and you will become demotivated and tired from religion. Jesus didn’t die on the cross and rose from the grave so that we can feel tired and weary of following Him all the time. He, Himself, said that His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Trying to obey the law and receive right standing with God because of it is carrying the wrong yoke. Religion is not God’s way, Relationship is.

Religion will always preach sin-consciousness while the victim feels shameful, guilty and condemned. Relationship will always preach son-consciousness while the person feels righteous, holy, forgiven, and free. We cannot rise and do something for God and His Kingdom if we are stuck in religion. Relationship is what breaks the chains.