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While I was at camp last week I got asked lots of questions.....  
Great questions.         
One afternoon 2 young ladies came and asked,  
"Why does everyone say that to be a Christian  
you have to be good?"        

Wow, what a great question.    
I think Paul was asked the same question   
and his answer in Romans 8:1-15 speaks    
of the fruit of the sinful nature   
and the fruit of the spirit life.   
Death   
and  
Life.   

a little later on he talks about how Israel
tried to be 'good' (righteousness)
but missed it...
Nothing wrong with living righteously
but he says the 'operating system'
or the motivation and means
makes all the difference.

One is good living (righteous) to please God (works)
the other because God gives good living to them though Christ (faith)
see Romans 9:30-35

Ooo....
As I answered those girls we talked about how the church,
Christ's body,
falls into that trap.

Being Good.....
because we are supposed to
'look good for Jesus'....
or
'be good because we are Christians'
or
'do those things, because that will please God.....'

ooouch.... that hits a nerve.

Paul reminds me
I live good,
be good,
am good
in the work of JESUS
not in mine

I step into what He has made AVAILABLE to me
His righteousness
His life
living in
and through me.

Not to please God
but to allow God to have His way in me

Working For God?
or
God Working In me.....

Different fruit
Death.
Life.


Wow.

Lord Jesus
it is so easy to slip back into the
'be good for Jesus' rut.....
...this morning I shift 'gears'.....
hand over the 'steering wheel'
You drive.
You,
living Your life
in me.

Yeahhhhhh.

PJ