"Live By Grace"

"And he said to them, "you yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean." ACTS 10 : 28

  The seed that Jesus planted in His disciples' minds in Matthew 9: 10-11 finally took root in Peter's life in above verse. Just like the stuffed-shirted, straight-lice Pharisees in Jesus time, there will always be people who do not want you to enjoy the liberty of God's grace even today! They will attempt to pour you into their mold. If you refuse, they'll criticise you. Watch out for them. Their favorite method is to intimidiate you. Their favorite response is to get you to imitate them. Their favorite objective is to destroy your freedom by bring you into subjection.

Some Practical Expectations. 

  Living by grace is our only defense against legalism. And here are four things you can expect if you live according to the "grace principle." 

First, you will have a greater appreciation of the gifts God has given you. 

Second, you will spend less time and energy preoccupied with other peoples's choices

Third, you will become more tolerant and joyful while becoming less prejudiced and Judgmental.

Fourth, you will take a giant step toward maturity. Live by grace and, before you know it, your face will begin to show it. Live by legalism and your face will eventually show its effects too. The real question we must ask ourself is this: Do I want to look like Pharisee or do I want to look like Jesus!