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#75 My Life: The Galatian StruggleDr. Stephen Phinney: I discovered that living a Christian life was not about striving for perfection, but about accepting & releasing God's LIFE and extending that same life to others.
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In my effort to understand the balance between living under the law and embracing grace, here's my story that might resonate with you:Growing up in a home where I had a father who was the son of a preacher, while he himself rejected Grandpa’s teachings & devout Christian household, I always felt the weight of religious expectations. While my father avoided direct teachings of such expectations, the teachings of the law were drilled into me from a young age through what I call secondhand Christianity: obey the commandments, adhere to the rituals, and strive for perfection in every aspect of life. This rigid framework provided a sense of twisted self-rule structure, but it also instilled a deep fear of failure. Any misstep felt like a monumental disaster, and guilt and shame became my constant companions. As I entered my teenage years, the struggle intensified. I tried desperately to live up to the unspoken standards set by the laws of my father, believing that my worth and self-manufactured salvation depended on my ability to follow every expectation perfectly. Despite my best efforts, I found myself falling short time and time again. The more I tried to achieve his unspoken rules through my own actions, the more frustrated and exhausted I became. HYPOCRICY WAS HIS GODMy father held high expectations for himself and his family, always striving for excellence and hoping that his dedication would inspire us to do the same. He preached the values of hard work, loyalty, and unwavering commitment to one's goals. Yet, behind the scenes, his life told a different story. He struggled with the very standards he set, grappling with personal demons and moments of weakness that contrasted sharply with the image he projected publicly. This dissonance created a complex dynamic, as we saw glimpses of both his aspirations and his vulnerabilities. His journey taught me that even those we look up to grapple with their own battles, and that the path to integrity and authenticity is seldom a straight line. Since his outward expressions were deplorable, while his standards were immovable, his standards formed in his children an attitude of rebellion and disbelief in Christianity itself.It wasn't until I attended an internship with a Grace oriented Christian counseling ministry that I was introduced to the concept of grace in a profound and transformative way. The teachers talked about the unconditional love and forgiveness offered through Jesus, emphasizing that salvation and acceptance were gifts from God, not something earned through works, certainly a new concept for me. This message was both liberating and bewildering; it challenged everything I had been taught about earning my place in life. Over the next few years, deep within my soul, I wrestled with these conflicting teachings. On one hand, the law represented a lifetime of ingrained beliefs and practices, while watching a father who refuted them. On the other, grace offered freedom and rest. Slowly, I began to grasp that the law was fulfilled by my new Savior, which, over time, served as my guide, revealing my need to release the indwelling Savior to fulfill the external rules THROUGH my weaknesses. Grace became the means by which I could truly live out my faith. I was “hooked.” The journey was far from easy. There were moments of relapse into old patterns, where I found myself trying to earn God's favor through my actions. But gradually, I learned to let go of the legalistic mindset and embrace the transformative power of indwelling Grace.I discovered that living a Christian life was not about striving for perfection, but about accepting & releasing God's LIFE and extending that same life to others. This shift in perspective brought a profound sense of peace and joy. No longer bound by the fear of failing to meet impossible standards, I could focus on growing in my relationship with God through the indwelling Life of Yeshua and serving others out of gratitude rather than obligation. Over time the LAW and GRACE, rather than being opposing forces, became complementary aspects of my faith journey. The law pointed me to my need for grace, and grace empowered me to live a life of a genuine authentic service to Yeshua. While the road was long and fraught with struggle, it ultimately led to a deeper, more authentic faith. Embracing grace allowed me to find freedom in my identity as a child of God & Bridal member of His Son, resting in the assurance of His love and forgiveness. My struggles with the law were a constant source of frustration and confusion, driving me to question my faith and my understanding of what it meant to live a righteous life - for years not realizing I was the righteousness of Christ.2 Corinthians 5:21: "For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." The relentless pursuit of perfection, dictated by a strict adherence to rules, left me feeling exhausted and spiritually depleted. It was during this period of turmoil that I turned to the Book of Galatians. Over many years of studying its profound messages, I found solace and clarity in Paul's teachings on grace and freedom through authentic indwelling faith of Yeshua. The revelation that my worth was not dependent on my ability to uphold the law, but on releasing the ONE who fulfilled the Law, transformed my spiritual journey. This shift allowed me to embrace a life of grace, finding peace and liberation in the truth of the Gospel. Over the months ahead, I will be sharing what I learned in my studies, how these truths transformed my life, and ignited my journey that focuses on the believer’s identity in Yeshua. AN OVERVIEW OF WHATS TO COME:The Book of Galatians, written by the Apostle Paul, addresses significant theological concerns, particularly around the believer's identity in Yeshua (Jesus). Here's a summary in light of our upcoming theme: Freedom and Identity in Yeshua:
In summary, the Book of Galatians, the expression of my soul, reassures believers questioning their identity that their true identity is found in Yeshua through faith, marked by freedom from the law, spiritual adoption, and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Please join me in this journey! The End Times Chronicles is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thanks for subscribing to The End Times Chronicles. Your paid subscription helps us advance our non-profit’s mission. Dr. Stephen R. Phinney is dedicated to providing quality media and publications that advance the Life of Christ. Paid subscribers receive free eBooks, media content, and other free stuff.Hey, fellow writers/readers, would you be open to buying me a cup of coffee? Check out this fun way of supporting my writing: https://bmc.link/drphinney
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