“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. 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 anchor us. We can
choose to believe that His grace is more powerful than our insufficiency.
Christ didn't save us in our perfection. He saved us in our brokenness. We
choose to sacrifice our wills 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. 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 grace’s freedom because striving and mind-over-matter
don't work. Only spiritual understanding of the grace of Jesus Christ and
experiencing its power has the ability to release us. Spiritual knowledge of
God's Word imparts wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom,” James writes, “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 liberating power of His grace.
Do you want to be stable, rock-solid, consistent, and anchored in His grace? Do you want to continually experience the freedom of His grace when something happens which could cause fear or anger, bitterness or resentment? 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 and selfishness. To be renewed and transformed, 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 the freedom of His grace when something happens which could cause fear or anger, bitterness or resentment? 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 and selfishness. To be renewed and transformed, 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.
© 2018 Lynn Lacher
www.lynnlacher.com/2018/04/commit-to-his-grace.html
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