Commit to His Grace

“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.

© 2018 Lynn Lacher

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