Here is why the more I give up - I gain.

If you add anything to JESUS it becomes sin.

When we don't see JESUS alone as our 'all in all' then we are adding to HIM. There is nothing that can be added to complete perfection. HE is complete and everything is made for HIM and is IN HIM.

see John 1:3 and Colossians 1:16

Ok, now some of you know we have 2 boys.

Here is my question, are they our boys because of what they do?
Or, do they lose their standing as our sons because they've done something wrong?

No! They are simply our sons and we love them.
In fact we already loved them the moment they were born, and prayed over them when they were inside Mom (before they were born).

We loved them first! Sound familiar?

Let me explain...

(don't make your own judgements, read on and ask the HOLY SPIRIT
to reveal JESUS to you)

We are not trying to make enemies here but trying to show you the freedom you already have in JESUS! Galatians 5

Ok, here it is:

If its...
JESUS plus my bible reading - sin (which means failure)
JESUS plus church attendance - sin
JESUS plus my tithe or giving - sin
JESUS plus my own good works - sin (I am not like other people out there) see Luke 18:14
JESUS plus my prayer time - sin
JESUS plus my bible degree - sin

Here is the Divine Formula:
JESUS plus anything = failure
JESUS alone = success

Because if its not LOVE its sin!
If its not done for the good of (others and JESUS) its sin.

Here's the deal...
When you receive HIS love and realize its nothing to do with you
and only HIS love that keeps coming to you then...

You will have fellowship and not have to.
You will give and bless others not have to.
You will pray not have to.
You will witness effectively not have to.
You will do good not have to.

What made the difference?

You stopped everything you were doing and put your attention to JESUS alone.

We stopped tithing and GOD has blessed us to give as HE directs.
We stopped going and doing church and GOD has given us sweet fellowship with other believers and seeing the power of GOD.
We stopped trying to read the bible everyday and now can't put the book down.
We stopped praying (because its what we are supposed to do, doesn't the bible say to pray without ceasing ...pray without stopping?) 1 Thessalonians 5:17
What a joy to be continually talking with and about the ONE you love who is in LOVE with me.

Here is the key:

The bible talks about, over and over again about Law and GRACE.

Moses gave you the law but GRACE and TRUTH came through JESUS! John 1:17

The law means something fixed - it cannot be changed or broken. Everything that GOD says is law, since it is unchangeable and cannot be broken.

There are laws of the SPIRIT of LIFE and the law of FAITH but more on those later. There are also physical lessor laws GOD has created in nature but we are not discussing that here either.

But the law the bible talks about (over and over again) is the levitical law, meaning you must keep it or die!
We sort of sum them up into 10 commandments. But the purpose of the law is simply show you GOD's requirement and mans in-ability to keep it.

JESUS said that "Don't think I came to destroy the law but to fulfill it" Matthew 5:17
(HE is the only one who can)

Why?

Because HE is the only real 'Christian' (if I can put it that way). You can't, by your own efforts, keep or get to HIS standard - impossible! Every religion, cult, self help, church denomination tries to keep there own interpretation of the law (rules and requirements) and if you keep these you are in 'good standing' or upright. But its a lie! You are not good - but evil and have cut yourself off of GRACE trying to live that frustrated, angry, sin heaped, cursed life.

Because JESUS isn't good enough for you, you need HIM plus something more...

I beg you, challenge you, dare you to ask GOD to prove it and try HIS way.
Which is JESUS only.

When you read 'law' in the bible change the word to 'self effort' and you will see the meaning more clearly because that is what the bible warns you not to do! Live your life by your own effort.

What was JESUS big fight all the time because it wasn't with the freaks, bikers, outlaws, gangsters, thieves, prostitutes or outcasts - but it was to the good people, the church going, the sabbath keepers, the law abiding.

Why?

Only the sick need a physician - if you are good, then you obviously aren't looking for help.
Mark 2:17

But for us, that know we are nothing (in me dwells no good thing Romans 7:18) and know that our good deeds are filthy rags (don't even get me started on our bad deeds, if our good deeds are already filthy). Isaiah 64:4-9

Then we are poor, wretched, dumb, blind and naked on our own. Revelation 3:17


Galatians 2:21

I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"

Trying to do it on your own - puts you in a place where you set aside GRACE and CHRIST's death has no effect for you.

As we say around here "hurry up and die already".