“You
will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32,
NLT).
To
spiritually understand the depth and power of the grace of Jesus
Christ, faith needs to grow in our life. For faith to grow, the seed
of God's Word must first be planted, then nourished through study and
prayer. As knowledge of His grace grows into greater faith, we are
able to put down deep-seated roots that will anchor us. We can choose
to believe that His grace is more powerful than all our
insufficiency. Christ didn't save us in our perfection. He saved us
in our brokenness. We choose to sacrifice our will and desires and
seek His. As we grow in His grace, the power of that grace increases.
When we yield our brokenness, our weakness, and ourselves to Him
daily, we discover that in Him all things are possible. He takes
whatever battle rages to the grave, and continually imparts His grace
to stand strong.
We
will always face temptation, but it is what we do with that
temptation which reveals if we have died to self-will. It is what we
do with temptation which reveals our allegiance. If we succumb to
sin, we break our spiritual closeness with God which gives us the
power to stand strong. With that intimacy severed, His grace will not
empower us. This verse in John tells us that knowledge of the Word of
God sets us free (John 8:32). if we continually seek to understand
the truth of God's Word, we gain spiritual intimacy with God and
experience His grace which gives us freedom from sin's control.
Perhaps
we haven’t experienced freedom from sin's control because
mind-over-matter doesn’t work. Only spiritual understanding of the
grace of God and experiencing its power has the ability to release
us. Spiritual knowledge of God's Word imparts wisdom. James says
about wisdom, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who
gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given
to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the
one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the
wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the
Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do”
(James 1:5-8, NIV). His wisdom is necessary for spiritual growth. As
we seek to know the Word, we identify with the Word, and we
experience its wisdom. Faith increases, and temptation loses its
grasp. But we must not doubt! We choose to believe that His ability
is greater than our failure. Choosing to lead a life that is pleasing
to God is our commitment. He honors that commitment to spiritually
grow in His truth with the power of His grace.
Do you want to be stable, rock-solid, consistent, and anchored in His grace? Do you want to continually experience His grace when something happens which could cause anger, hurt, bitterness, jealousy, or unforgiveness? Do you want to be controlled by His power, and not by a lack of self-control? Do you want to be a conduit of His grace that continually is offered to others who face their own battles? There will always be temptation, but I want to live a life that is free from sin's ability to control my life. Each day I will open my mind and spirit to the grace Jesus reveals in His Word. The power to set me free lies within its pages. The Word always waits for me to discover the freedom it imparts. I choose the commitment.
Do you want to be stable, rock-solid, consistent, and anchored in His grace? Do you want to continually experience His grace when something happens which could cause anger, hurt, bitterness, jealousy, or unforgiveness? Do you want to be controlled by His power, and not by a lack of self-control? Do you want to be a conduit of His grace that continually is offered to others who face their own battles? There will always be temptation, but I want to live a life that is free from sin's ability to control my life. Each day I will open my mind and spirit to the grace Jesus reveals in His Word. The power to set me free lies within its pages. The Word always waits for me to discover the freedom it imparts. I choose the commitment.
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