Most people tend to complicate life and make it difficult. Although the expectation to do everything exactly right puts us under considerable pressure, it’s totally unnecessary. We may have grown up accepting what church taught us about “living right” and following the Ten Commandments in order to qualify for heaven. At one time, this was true for God’s people; however, what was true under the law may no longer be true under grace.

Before Jesus, man lived under the curse of the law because of Adam and Eve’s sin; tribulations and distress were part of everyday life. The more people tried to keep the law, the more they failed and sinned. The law entered so that sin could abound. It was given to expose to people their guilt and make them conscious of their sins.

Because of sin, hardship and distress were simply part of life. There was no open heaven; part of the curse for failing to obey the law was a brass heaven overhead and an iron earth underfoot. Overcoming tribulation was out of the question; foreigners among the people rose up higher than them, and the children of Israel were the tail and not the head.

When Jesus ended the law and replaced it with grace, life radically changed for the better. He came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. This abundance includes the ability to overcome tribulations that was absent under the law; He makes born-again believers the head and not the tail. Every curse that was over mankind has now been replaced by blessings for those who believe in Him.

Living right now no longer focuses on doing, but on believing. Life doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult. Jesus invites us to get away with Him so He can give us a real rest and teach us the unforced rhythms of grace. For those who are burned out on religion, this is an invitation too good to pass up.

Prayer:

Lord, we no longer have to toil and labor to perfectly perform the way the people had to under the old covenant of the law. That was exhausting, and only led to failure. Because of Your Son, we’ve now been empowered to overcome tribulations and succeed in life. We’re grateful for this. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Scriptures:

Romans 5:20

Galatians 3:19, AMPC

Deuteronomy 28:13, 23, 43, 44

John 10:10

Matthew 11:28-30, MSG