I am confident that all who read this can identify with Paul’s dilemma as lamented in Romans 7:19. Those who do not identify fall into one of two categories: those who are spiritually dead as an unbeliever, and those who are spiritually deceived as a believer.

Honesty and transparency are difficult, for they leave us vulnerable. The alternative, however, is mask wearing, and I have always found mask wearing to be uncomfortable as well as stifling and “plastic.”

So, let us be honest – both you and I struggle. While we do not struggle with the truth claims of faith, we do struggle with our progression forward. We want to see Him and have Him use us in an unprecedented way. We want to see Him with the eye of faith. We want to believe that which awaits us can swallow up the trials of this temporal world. We want to believe that somehow in the midst of all this “craziness” God is in control. And yet . . . we struggle. We struggle at work; we struggle with our kids; we struggle with our spouse; and we struggle financially, emotionally, physically, and, at times, spiritually. We just flat out struggle. Life is hard; nothing appears to be easy. We want the supernatural and miraculous. We want God to snap His fingers and fix all of our problems. Yet despite all of these desires, it is still incredibly difficult to do right when wrong is so easy.

Such candid speech can leave us breathless. What if people knew what you were really like? Does that scare you? Friend, God knows, and if we would be honest with each other we would find that our
experiences are common to all of our brothers and sisters in Christ. If I am not mistaken, this is one of the points in First Corinthians 10:13.

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

So, in a sense we just “aired our dirty laundry.” Every one now knows what a loser you and I really are – so what! I believe Paul did the same in Romans 7: he admitted the struggle between what he knew as true (i.e., his theology) and what he faced in every day life (i.e., his experience/obedience).

Admitting the struggle is not failure. Transparent honesty is far better than tragic hypocrisy. Failure is never fatal. The point of the struggle can be seen in Romans 7:24 and 25:

Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.

We have to see ourselves as wretched before we will fully lean on Jesus Christ. The experiences of our lives show us that we cannot, but Jesus can. Our experience is a daily cry for help. The best activity we can engage in is one that allows us to see who we are in light of who He is.

I want an easy life. Moreover, if the truth be told, I want a perfect life. Fortunately, all I want and need I already have. As far as the sense experience is concerned, that too will come . . . in due time. Some day I will shed this “jar of clay” and will see Him face to face. In that day, I will be like Him for I will see Him (1 John 3:1-3).

So, be encouraged! Your daily “failure” is bringing you to the end of yourself and closer to Him. Always remember, “God is faithful, who will with the temptation provide . . . .”

By Pastor Patrick J. Griffiths. For more information see the Waukesha Bible Church series on Galatians.

Who is Jesus Christ?  The Scriptures answer this question consistently and plainly.  However, space and time prohibit us from sounding it out completely.  Yet John provides for us a revealing look at our Lord Jesus Christ in what is commonly entitled, “The ‘I AM’ statements of our Lord.”

The first of the seven statements is found in John 6:35, 41, 48, and 51.  Jesus Christ identifies Himself as, “The Bread of Life.”  His promise to those who partake of Him is that they will never hunger nor thirst again.  In 6:35 John uses a double negative.  One Greek grammarian correctly notes how, “With the double negative and the subjunctive Paul is “ruling out even the idea as being a possibility: [the double negative] is the most decisive way of negativing something in the future.”  (Wallace, Beyond Basics, 468).

Jesus Christ completely and eternally satisfies.  John continues in verse 51 by telling us that the one who partakes “Will live forever.”

Although Jesus does not use the same grammatical structure, He also identifies Himself as, “The Living Water” (4:10, 11).  This would be in keeping with the thought behind “The Bread of Life.”  Jesus Christ is the sole satisfier of the innermost part of the individual.

The second “I AM” statement is found in John 8:12 and 9:5.  Here Jesus calls Himself “The Light of the World.”  Again John uses the double negative and again, the “I AM” statement corresponds with a condition existing within the individual.  When I follow Jesus I will [no] never walk in darkness again.

The third “I AM” statement stresses the eternality of our Lord Jesus Christ and His equality with the Father and it is found in John  8:58, “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.’”  In this simple statement our Lord was identifying Himself with the I AM statement found in Exodus 3:14.  That the Jews understood the implications of our Lord’s declaration is seen in 8:59, “Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him.”

At His arrest in the Garden our Lord uses the same pointed, empowered, succinct statement, “I AM” (18:5, 6, 8).  What is interesting is the response of those who heard it, “So when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.”  Jesus Christ, the great I AM, the Lord of all and creator of all surrenders and submits Himself to that which He created.  The power of that moment cannot go unnoticed.

The fourth and fifth statements are both found in John 10.  John 10:7 and 9 speak of Jesus Christ being, “The door.”  This highlights His unique positioning as the only way into the “pasture” of God.  Verses 11 and 14 identify Him as “The good shepherd” who lays His life down for the sheep and whose voice is known by His sheep.  This stresses His protective watch care for His sheep.

In the midst of our heartbreak and sorrow, Jesus Christ is “The resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).  This is the sixth I AM statement.  These are the words that brought comfort and soothing to the agitated heart and mind of Martha upon the death of her brother Lazarus.

The seventh is found in John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’” What makes the last one interesting is its location.  The first six are uttered during our Lord’s public ministry the last of the seven is given during our Lord’s upper room discourse.  Events are unfolding at a rapid pace all around the disciples.  There world is caving in.  Thomas asks Jesus the question, “Lord, we do not know where you are going, how do we know the way?”  Jesus responds with, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”  In the midst of their most pressing moment Jesus turns their attention back to the centrality of Himself.

The eighth I AM statements is noted in John 15:1 and 5.  Jesus Christ said, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.”  The essence of this truth is seen in verse five where Jesus declares, “For apart from Me you can do nothing.”  Temporal life was never meant to be lived apart from Him.  In fact, it is impossible.  We wear our “mask” of success, yet we despair and push ourselves to conformity though completely devoid of any inner empowerment.  His strength is found in our weakness.  It is only as we give up that He moves in.  We must forever remember that, “We can’t, but Jesus can.”

In the I AM statements we see the sufficiency of Jesus Christ.  Regardless as to what we are going through Jesus Christ declares that He is enough.  He is enough in this life and in the life which is to come.  Nothing more can be added and nothing less will do.

Are you spiritually hungry, than Jesus Christ is the bread of life.

Are you spiritually thirsty, than Jesus Christ is the living water.

Are you without direction, than Jesus Christ is the light of the world.

Are you groping for significance, than Jesus Christ is the eternal I AM.

Are you spiritually lost, than Jesus Christ is the door.

Are you seeking comfort and security, than Jesus Christ is the good shepherd.

Are you overwhelmed by loss, than Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life.

Are you confused and perplexed, than Jesus Christ is way, the truth and the life.

Are you exhausted and discouraged, than Jesus Christ is the true vine.

As people we consume ourselves with temporal distractions hoping to silence the inner voice that craves for meaning, comfort and calm.  We have the remarkable capacity to fill the void with everything trivial and temporal at the expense of the truth and the eternal.  When the dust final settles we will come face to face with this simple reality, “Only Jesus Christ is enough in this life and in the life which is to come.”  May we never lose sight of this fundamental certainty.  This is the message of grace that our world needs to hear and embrace.  May you enjoy all that He is for us in Himself.

By Pastor Patrick J. Griffiths.  For more information see the Waukesha Bible Church series on Galatians.

We must keep in mind that legalism does not mean the setting of spiritual standards; it means worshiping these standards and thinking that we are spiritual because we obey them.  It also means judging other believers on the basis of these standards.  The old nature loves legalism, because it gives the old nature a chance to ‘look good.’ (Wiersbe, Galatians, 108-109).

Thus, legalism is not what you do it is why you do it that makes you a legalist.  John Piper correctly notes that “legalism is present whenever a person is trying to be ethical in his own strength.”  He equally argues that legalism is present whenever we try to make other people ethical through conformity to rules.  In so doing we are lacking confidence in the sovereign power of God to complete that which He alone began and He alone can finish. (Piper, Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, 153-155).

As I have meditated on these things I have noted nine observations concerning legalism.  I trust you will find this helpful.

1.      Legalism believes man’s obedience cooperates with grace instead of believing it is a consequence of grace. Any act of obedience on my part is simply a consequence of the Holy Spirit bearing His fruit in me and through me to those around me.

2.      Legalism believes what it merits by grace must now be maintained by works. What I could not merit by works I cannot now maintain by works.  The Christian life is from “grace to grace.”

3.      Legalism believes man’s obedience makes God a debtor to him for good.

The legalist believes that God is obligated to “bless” us with “good things” because we have lived exemplary lives.  When hardship comes we are shocked because we have done our best to “do right.”

4.      Legalism views the New Testament imperative as a moral obligation.

The New Testament was not written to tell us how to live, but to show us what He is like.  The imperative is the outworking of the Holy Spirit bearing His fruit through these “earthen vessels.”  To think the believer is now obligated to carry out the New Testament imperative is to place him under a burden he was never meant to bear.

5.      Legalism believes the saved individual is now capable, with the Holy Spirit’s enablement, to work in such a way as to merit divine favor.

The truth is found in John 15:5, “without Him we can do nothing.”  We are not co-laborers or sub-contractors with God, but tools and only tools.

6.      Legalism fears disobedience because of divine retribution.

The legalist lives in fear of “divine chastisement.”  Yet we are assured that “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).

7.      Legalism believes its judgment of others is infallible.

Legalists delight in putting people into prearranged categories.  Judgment is immediate and swift.  Everyone and everything is guilty until proven innocent.

8.      Legalism places demands on others for conformity to their rules.

The legalist must control through conformity or it will lose its grip.  Diversity within unity is the great scourge to the legalist.

9.      Legalism judges others based on their appearance.

The legalist believes everyone must mimic them.  Yet the infiniteness of God and the diversity of personalities in limitless cultures assure us that there is great multiplicity within the body of Christ.

I have no desire to stand in judgment of the assumed legalist.  How tragic it would be for us to embrace grace and, in some twisted way, become legalistic toward those who differ from this fellowship.

Perhaps this short study will help us to “see” legalism in our own lives.  May our courage be such that we will not rest until every residue of this devilish way has been blotted out of our presence?  Grace living is “riskier” because it means we must take our hands off people and place them into the hands of Almighty God.  Yet is such a transfer “risky?”  Hardly.  I would rather have us live under the watch-care of omnipotence than under the bane-filled eye of impotent man.

By Pastor Patrick J. Griffiths.  For more information see the Waukesha Bible Church series on Galatians.

Paul, however, uses it to describe the Christian life.  In fact apart from Revelation 1:13; 15:6 and 19:14 Paul is the only writer to use the word once we leave the Gospels and Acts.  I have listed each of the occurrences by its grammatical description.  Once you look at the grammatical description certain elements become evident.

Aorist Middle Imperative

Romans 13:14 “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”

Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”

Colossians 3:12 “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

Aorist Middle Indicative

Galatians 3:27 “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

Aorist Middle Infinitive

Ephesians 4:24 “And put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”

Aorist Middle Participle

Ephesians 6:14 “Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.”

Colossians 3:10 “And have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.”

1 Thessalonians 5:8 “But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.”

Observations concerning their grammatical description

First, they are all aorist in tense.  The action of putting on is being looked at as a whole.  As something that is a point in time.  The middle voice tells us that we do this to ourselves.  The various “moods” (i.e., imperative, indicative, infinitive, and participle) stress certain actions in time.

Observations concerning their theological application

The passages suggest there is an action we are to be doing today, right now.  Yet the tense suggests that this is something already done.  So how do we reconcile these two thoughts?  First, I believe we clothed ourselves with Christ the moment we believed.  At that moment in time we were baptized into the body of Christ and thus put on His righteousness.

The song writer wrote well when he said, “When He shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in Him be found: Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne” (The Solid Rock).

Thus I am, right now, clothed with the very righteousness of Christ.  So why am I now being called upon to put on Christ?  Paul’s exhortation is for us to practice our position.  Paul wants us to intentionally live in the reality of Him.  He wants us to show Christ through these earthen vessels to those around us.  No action on my part can add to or take away from the righteousness that I already have and am in Him.  My earthen vessel is simply the screen upon which His righteousness is being seen, it is the billboard that displays His righteousness to others.  That is what Paul is encouraging us to do.  Show the Christ who is in you, through you, to those who are around you.

How exciting to think that right now I have been clothed with the real righteousness of Christ.  As a believer, you and I are righteous.  May we thrill at every display of His righteousness through us.  And again, as always, “grace to you and peace.”

By Pastor Patrick J. Griffiths.  For more information see the Waukesha Bible Church series on Galatians.