July 2025 | Core Church LA

Rules Do Not Make You Holy

What Makes a Person Holy?

Let’s be clear—rules do not make you holy. God is more concerned about what’s in your heart than what’s on your plate or what day you go to church. In Acts 10:11–16, Peter has a vision from God. A large sheet comes down from heaven full of animals that Jewish law said not to eat. God tells Peter to “kill and eat,” but Peter says, “No way, Lord! I’ve never eaten anything unclean.”

Then God says something powerful:

“What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.” (Acts 10:15)

This isn’t just about food. God is showing Peter—and us—that the old way of following rules to feel holy is over. Holiness now comes through Jesus, not through what we eat, drink, or avoid.

Rules Do Not Make You Holy—Your Heart Does

Jesus made this clear too. In Mark 7:18–23, He told His disciples:

“Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them?”

He went on to say that evil comes from within us—from the heart. Things like greed, lying, pride, and lust. That’s what makes someone unclean.

That’s why rules do not make you holy. You could follow every diet, wear perfect church clothes, never miss a Sunday, and still be far from God if your heart is full of sin and rebellion.

God isn’t looking for people who follow man-made rules. He’s looking for people who follow Him. He wants your heart, not your habits.

Don’t Let Religion Replace Relationship

Paul also warned the church in Colossians about this. In Colossians 2:8 he says:

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”

We’ve got to be careful. Religion can sound holy, but it can keep us far from Jesus if we’re not careful. That’s why Colossians 2:16 tells us:

“Don’t let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.”

Some people love to pile on rules. Don’t eat this. Don’t drink that. Go to church on this day. Wear this. Say that. But God isn’t impressed by any of that. He’s looking for people who trust Him, love Him, and obey Him from the inside out.

Holiness Starts with Relationship

Real holiness isn’t about what we do for show. It’s about who we are when no one’s looking. It’s about whether or not we’re walking in fellowship with Jesus every single day. Are we listening to Him? Are we obeying His Word? Do we repent when we fall?

That’s what matters. Not coffee or meat. Not Saturday vs. Sunday.

So let’s stop letting religious rules distract us. Let’s focus on the truth of God’s Word. Because at the end of the day, rules do not make you holy. Jesus does.

And that’s the kind of holiness the world needs to see—authentic, honest, and rooted in a relationship with the Savior who gave it all for us.

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This Is How God Works

God Doesn’t Work Like We Do

Let’s be honest—God doesn’t always make sense to us. He flips the script. He turns things upside down. And if we’re not paying attention, we might miss what He’s doing. But this is how God works—He uses people and plans that we’d never choose.

Take Galatians 2:2 for example. Paul writes,

“I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles…”

Wait. Paul? The former Pharisee? The man who tried to destroy the early church? The one who held people’s coats while Stephen got stoned? Yeah—that guy. God chose him to go to the Gentiles, the very people who weren’t even part of Israel’s story. They didn’t grow up reading the Law. They didn’t memorize the Psalms. And yet, God sends the most “Jewish” man around to reach them.

Why? Because this is how God works. He doesn’t need our permission. Also, He doesn’t ask for our advice. He sees the big picture, and He chooses the least likely people so that He gets the most glory.

God Uses the Unlikely

Paul wasn’t the only surprise. Look at Peter. He was a fisherman. He was hot-headed, uneducated, and often stuck his foot in his mouth. But God used him to reach the Jews—the very people who spent their lives studying the Scriptures.

That’s why 1 Corinthians 1:27 is such a key verse. It says,

“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.”

God doesn’t use the strongest or smartest. He uses the humble, the broken, the ones no one would expect. Why? Because when something amazing happens through them, everyone knows it was God. That’s how He works.

Think about it—if you saw a Harvard scholar preaching to fishermen, you’d expect results. But if a fisherman starts preaching to scholars and they listen? That’s God. That’s supernatural.

God’s ways aren’t just different—they’re better. We just have to trust Him even when it feels confusing.

This Is How God Works—By Grace, Not Works

And here’s the real kicker—none of this comes by earning it. You can’t work hard enough to make God use you. You don’t need to prove anything. Look at Ephesians 2:8-9:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

God saves by grace. He calls by grace. He uses by grace. And He gets the glory every time. That’s the heart of the gospel. You’re not chosen because you’re qualified. You’re qualified because you’re chosen.

So when you feel too broken, too weak, or too small—good. You’re right where God wants you. This is how God works—He picks the ones everyone else overlooks.

God Gets the Glory

Don’t miss this: God works through weakness so that His strength shines. If you think you have to be perfect before He can use you, stop. He already knows your flaws. And He still wants you.

Paul once hated Jesus. Peter once denied Him. But grace changed everything. If God can use them, He can use you.

So let go of what the world says you need to be. God’s not looking for perfect people. He’s looking for willing hearts. He’s still doing surprising things today—this is how God works.

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How To Find the Peace of God

The Gift of Peace Is Already Yours

When life feels loud, messy, and out of control, peace can seem like a distant dream. But here’s the truth: God already gave us peace. It’s not something we have to chase. Jesus bought it for us on the cross. The question is not if peace is available. The real question is: do you know how to find the peace of God?

Paul opens the book of Galatians with this strong message:

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins…” (Galatians 1:3-5).

That’s not just a sweet greeting. It’s a powerful truth. The peace of God isn’t a feeling that comes and goes. It’s a gift rooted in what Jesus did for us. He gave Himself for our sins. That’s how we know His grace and peace are real. They cost Him everything.

You don’t have to be perfect to find peace. You just need to look to the cross and believe what Jesus did for you. That’s where peace starts—with grace.

Jesus Knew How to Find the Peace of God

Before Jesus went to the cross, He told His disciples,

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)

Jesus gave peace. Not sold it. Not rented it. He gave it. And not just any peace—His peace. That means the same peace that kept Jesus calm in the storm, strong in the garden, and silent before His enemies is now yours.

But this kind of peace doesn’t always look the way we think it should. Sometimes, we expect peace to be quiet, easy, or emotional. But Jesus gives peace even in the middle of chaos. You might still have bills, battles, or brokenness—but peace can still fill your heart. That’s why you need to receive it by faith.

Death Has No Sting When You Know Peace

Let’s be real. The biggest fear we face is death. But even there, Jesus brought peace. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57:

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? … But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

When Jesus rose from the dead, He crushed fear. He didn’t just beat death—He gave us the win too. That’s the root of our peace. If Jesus can handle death, He can handle anything in your life. And that means you can rest. You can breathe. You can trust Him.

So, how to find the peace of God? You stop looking at your problems and start looking at the cross. You take your eyes off the storm and focus on the Savior. His peace was bought with His blood. It’s yours now.

Live Like Peace Is Already Yours

You don’t need to earn peace. You just need to accept it. The devil wants to keep you afraid and anxious. But Jesus wants you strong and full of peace. So when worry comes knocking, remind it: “I already have peace. Jesus gave it to me.”

No matter what’s happening around you—or inside you—peace isn’t based on your situation. It’s based on your Savior. And Jesus never fails. That’s how to find the peace of God every single day.

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The Law Versus Grace

Paul Draws the Line: Law Versus Grace

The book of Galatians is like a courtroom scene. On one side stands the law, strict and heavy, demanding full obedience. On the other side stands grace, freely offered through faith in Jesus. Paul wastes no time in choosing sides—he fights for grace. The issue at hand was simple but serious. People were sneaking into the church and saying, “Yes, believe in Jesus—but you also need to follow the law of Moses.” Paul said no way. He made it clear: this is about law versus grace, and grace wins every time.

Galatians 1:6-7 says, “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel.” Paul saw danger in trying to mix grace with works. The law says do this or else. Grace says Jesus already did it. The law shows us how far we fall short. Grace lifts us up because Jesus didn’t fall short.

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Why Grace Wins in the Fight of Law Versus Grace

Paul knew what it was like to live under the law. Before he met Jesus, he followed every rule. But in Galatians 3:10, Paul says, “All who rely on the law are under a curse.” That’s a heavy statement. Why does the law bring a curse? Because nobody can keep it perfectly. One wrong step breaks it all. It’s like trying to swim across the ocean with one arm—you’re going to sink.

Paul then shows the beauty of grace. In Galatians 3:13, he says, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” That means Jesus took the punishment we deserved. He didn’t break the law—He fulfilled it. And then He died for every time we broke it. That’s grace. It’s not something you earn. It’s something you receive.

This message was so important that Paul didn’t go easy on anyone trying to twist it. In Galatians 5:12, he even says he wishes those troubling the church would stop completely. Paul wasn’t being mean—he was being clear. Mixing the law with grace poisons the gospel. It tells people, “Jesus isn’t enough.” And Paul wasn’t going to let that lie stand.

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Living in the Power of Grace, Not the Burden of Law

If you are a Christian today, you are free. You are not bound by rules to try to earn God’s love. In fact, you already have it. You are not graded by how many good deeds you do, but you are saved by what Jesus did. That’s the heart of the gospel. That’s the message of Galatians.

Paul teaches us that trying to live by the law will wear you out. But walking by grace gives you peace, strength, and freedom. When you know that you are forgiven, loved, and accepted—not because of your works but because of Jesus—then your life changes. Not out of fear, but out of joy.

So don’t fall back into trying to earn God’s approval. Trust in what Jesus already did. That’s the truth about law versus grace, and that’s the gospel worth living—and dying—for.

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Free From the Law

Paul’s Message: We Are Free From the Law

When Paul wrote the letter to the Galatians, he wasn’t just writing a friendly note. He was defending the truth of the gospel. Some false teachers had crept in and were trying to pull Christians back into obeying the old Jewish laws—like eating certain foods, keeping certain festivals, and even getting circumcised. They were saying, “Yes, Jesus saves, but you also need to follow the law.” But Paul’s answer was clear and bold: we are free from the law.

Paul called it what it was—a trap. In Galatians 5:1, he said, “It is for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” What yoke? The law. Jesus didn’t come to make us better rule-followers. He came to free us from a system we could never fully obey. The law showed us our sin, but it couldn’t save us. Jesus did what the law never could. And now, through faith in Him, we are made right with God—not by what we do, but by what Jesus already did.

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Jeremiah 31:31

This new way of living wasn’t Paul’s idea. God promised it hundreds of years earlier in Jeremiah 31:31. “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.” Why did God need a new covenant? Because the people didn’t keep the old one. They broke it again and again.

So God promised something better. Not more rules—but a new heart. A covenant not written on stone, but written on our hearts. This new covenant would bring real change. Not just outward actions, like eating the right food or following special rituals, but inward transformation. Through the Holy Spirit, God would live inside His people, guiding them, strengthening them, and making them new.

That’s the very heart of the gospel message Paul shared in Galatians. We don’t need to keep the old laws to please God. We please Him by trusting in His Son, Jesus. We don’t need to be made clean by eating or avoiding certain foods. We are made clean by the blood of Christ. And outward circumcision doesn’t make us holy. The real work happens in our hearts.

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Live Every Day Free From the Law

Paul didn’t say the law was bad. He said the law had a purpose—it pointed us to Jesus. But once Jesus came, we no longer needed the tutor. We no longer live by rules written in ink but by the Spirit who gives life. To go back to the law would be like living in a cage when the door is wide open.

So don’t let anyone tell you that your faith in Jesus needs something extra. Don’t let traditions or human rules weigh you down. Jesus fulfilled the law. And because of Him, you are free from the law.

Live in that freedom. Love God. Walk in His Spirit. And let your life be a testimony to the power of the new covenant—one of grace, not works.

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The Angel Who Deceives

Satan Deceives as an Angel of Light

When the Bible talks about deception, it doesn’t start with ordinary lies. It starts with the master of lies—Satan himself. In 2 Corinthians 11:14, Paul gives us a very specific warning: “And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” This verse tells us something big. The devil doesn’t always look scary. In fact, he can look pretty good. He knows how to sound convincing. He can seem wise, gentle, even godly. That’s how he tricks people. And make no mistake, he’s good at it.

This is why we must stay alert. The enemy doesn’t usually show up with horns and a pitchfork. He often shows up looking like someone who cares, like someone offering hope or truth. This is why so many people fall into false teaching, spiritual confusion, or emotional chaos. They thought they were following the light—but it wasn’t the true Light of the world. It was the angel of light, and that’s a disguise worn by the devil himself.

The Angel of Light and Jesus’ Warning in Matthew 24

Jesus gave His disciples a strong word of warning about deception in the end times. In Matthew 24, He sat on the Mount of Olives and told them what would happen in the last days. He talked about earthquakes, wars, persecution, and false prophets. But there’s one thing He repeated four times: “Do not be misled.”

That’s not by accident. Jesus knew how dangerous deception would be. He said that many would come in His name, claiming to be the Christ, and would mislead many. He even said that if possible, they would mislead the very elect—God’s chosen people. That’s how serious the danger is. And what makes the danger even worse is this: the devil doesn’t always lie outright. He often mixes lies with truth.

If something looks good and sounds good, that doesn’t always mean it is good. This is why we need to know God’s Word. The more you know the truth, the easier it is to spot a lie. If you know what Jesus really said, then you’ll know when someone twists His words. If you understand the heart of God, you’ll recognize when something is not from Him—even if it calls itself “Christian” or “spiritual.”

Don’t Be Fooled by the Angel of Light

Here’s the simple truth: the closer we get to the return of Jesus, the more active the devil becomes in deceiving people. He’s not coming with red eyes and smoke. He’s coming with smiles, spiritual language, and a message that sounds almost right. But it won’t be right. It will be twisted, and it will lead people away from Jesus.

That’s why Jesus warned again and again—don’t be misled. Be watchful. Be wise. Know the Word. Stay in prayer. Stay connected to solid, biblical teaching. The devil can’t lead you away when your heart is grounded in truth.

Because the angel of light is out there. But so is the true Light, and His name is Jesus. And when you walk with Him, no darkness can deceive you.

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When You Don’t Want Justice

Most people think justice is a good thing—and in many ways, it is. We want justice when someone hurts us. We want justice when evil needs to be stopped. But when it comes to our own sin, you don’t want justice from God. The last thing we want is to get what we deserve.

In Psalm 6:1-3, David cries out to God with a heavy heart. “Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger, nor chasten me in Your wrath. Be gracious to me, Lord, for I am weak.” These aren’t words from a man demanding fairness. These are words from a man who knows he’s guilty. David wasn’t asking for justice—he was begging for mercy.

You Don’t Want Justice From God On Judgment Day

We have all done things we are not proud of. Things we thought, said, or did when no one was watching. But God saw. Ecclesiastes 12:14 says, “For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.” That’s terrifying when you think about it. Nothing is left out. Not one word. Nor one action. Or even one secret.

That’s why you don’t want justice from God when you stand before Him one day. Because justice means paying for every sin. And that price is death and separation from God forever. David knew this. That’s why he cried out, “My soul is greatly dismayed; but You, Lord—how long?” He felt the weight of his guilt. He knew that justice would crush him. What he needed—what we all need—is mercy.

Mercy Is the Only Way Out From God’s Justice

Here’s the good news: God is not only just. He is also merciful. He sent His Son, Jesus, to take our punishment so we wouldn’t have to face God’s justice alone. That’s what the cross was about. It was God’s justice and mercy meeting in one moment. Jesus took on the judgment we deserved so we could receive the mercy we didn’t.

We all need to realize this truth. If we stand before God thinking we were “good enough,” we’re in trouble. The only way to survive the judgment is by throwing ourselves on the mercy of God. The only thing that saves us is the grace found in Jesus Christ.

The Time to Ask for Mercy Is Now

If you’re alive and reading this, it means there’s still time. The door to God’s mercy is still open. Don’t wait until it’s too late. One day, everything will be exposed. One day, every secret sin will be seen. That’s what Ecclesiastes 12:14 warns us about.

But right now, God invites us to come to Him—not with excuses, but with a humble heart. Ask for His mercy. Ask for His forgiveness. Don’t ask for what you deserve. Instead, ask for what only He can give—grace.

Because when it comes to your soul, you don’t want justice from God. You want mercy. And thank God, He’s ready to give it.

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