Partly Cloudy

Galatians 3:23, “But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.”

Prior to the faith of Christ in me by grace, I was fenced in all around by the law. A fence can be many things.

• It can be protection or a boundary.
• It can also limit how far you can grow.
• The farthest distance I can see is at the edge of the fence. I believe this is what the prophets saw, 1 Peter 1:10. Hebrews 10:1, the law is seen as an outline or shadow. Detail cannot be seen in a shadow, but the body is Christ, Col. 2:17. If I can see a body then I can see what makes the shadow.

The law to me, a Gentile, was what I was told by my parents, Catholicism, or what my conscience told me was right or wrong.

At one point in my life, my conscience was seared by the word of religion (1 Tim. 4:2), but now, in Christ, my conscience is sanctified, perfected and made whole, Hebrews 9:9, 9:14, 10:2.

Now, I live my life by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave His life for me! His life is ever-growing in me and He is living His life in and through me. This is totally opposite to living according to “what my parents told me, Catholic dogma, or even the witness of what my conscience approved!”

He is more than what I think is right or wrong.

By knowledge of the truth according to the Word and not what I suppose truth is, not what I think the truth is, not a hunch, not speculation, not a bet, gamble, or chance,

I know by faith,

1 Cor. 6:12, ““Everything is permissible for me”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”–but I will not be mastered by anything.”

1 Cor. 10:23, ““Everything is permissible”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is constructive (or edifying).”

The truth does not change. It resides everywhere in every dimension, universe, or possible creation. It is immutable. Its longevity is eternal.

Truth is real.

In truth,

• disease is not real,
• lies are not real,
• deception is not real,
• fear is not real,
• death is not real,
• unforgiveness is not real,
• and darkness is not real.

None of these can co-exist, dwell, or live with truth because truth is more real or substantial. Peter says, “INCORRUPTIBLE.” Paul says, “Corruption is clothed incorruptible.” It is more real than “more real.” My vocabulary is limited in describing things that are real.

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen.”

One of the definitions of SUBSTANCE is:

1. That which has actual existence
   • a substance, real being

Jesus says He is the Truth. Him and everything He has fulfilled and accomplished is parallel with truth. Truth is undeniably real. The reality of faith is in the believer.

If my conscience is still “partly cloudy”, then so is truth in me. It becomes fainter, more dilute, and weakened at best. Paul says in Gal. 4:19 (paraphrased), “travailing again in birth pains until Christ be formed (again) in you.” Jesus IS at salvation, but “the letter killeth.”

When I have been under law, legalism, condemnation, or judgment it is very difficult to see truth. Why?

Because I am too busy groveling in self-judgment, pity, and self-righteousness as Christ sits at the right of the Father saying to me, “It is done. Behold I make all things new.”

When I have been under law, legalism, condemnation, or judgment revelation and truth seem very far away. The only reason I should “seek God” is if He is hiding. In Christ, I have boldness and access to approach to throne of grace to receive grace and mercy in my time of need. Jesus is not playing hide and go seek.