...let Grace have its way.
“I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions.” Romans 7:18-19 [MSG]
Grace! Grace!! A five letter word with the deepest of meanings!
Special One, believe me when I tell you—without God’s Grace, this post you are currently reading will have never become a reality. It will have at its best been a suppressed revelation too heavy to be understood by me. Just last week, I got to know that I’d write about this (The Holy Spirit whispered the topic to me), but I had no idea how much scales would be taken off my eyes; that my ‘religiousness’ will be severely dealt with.
I’m sorry to mention but I must let you know that I am, or better put, I used to be the Christian who only loved the idea of STRONG Christians. Oh! Joseph was my numero uno role model. I loved…loved Daniel and his three Hebrew friends. I still do. But oftentimes, when I studied anything related to the weaknesses of Bible characters, I wished it wasn’t them. I wished they hadn’t fell. I really did wish. But hey! My wishes aren’t worth a penny. Are they? The deeds have already been done. My predominant thoughts ought to have been, “what does God want to teach me?” Thing is—I wasn’t even the idea I loved. I was nowhere near being strong. Ashley was a pretty weak Christian.
In Romans Chapter 7, one of the most revered Apostles laid out his weaknesses like one would do a stack of cards. Paul narrated his ordeal of how he willed to do things that pleased God. Yet, his decisions never resulted into actions. Things he never wanted to do, he did, but the good things he wanted to do, he never did. Does that sound that like you? It sure does sound like me. The part of the scripture that grabbed my attention is— “I realize I don’t have what it takes…” That’s right! I do not. Neither do you. We do not have what it takes to not let flesh get in the way. And you may ask, “…get in what way?” Bruh! It’s right there! In the way of your purpose, in the way of your God-ordained destiny!
The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is the answer! This Grace we talk about almost on a daily basis is beyond what merely saves and sustains us. (Don’t get me wrong. I do NOT take redemption lightly. I found out that there’s so much more.) It also empowers us to do what we can never naturally do. Talk about supernatural empowerment!
According to Zondervan Encyclopedia of biblical words, here’s one expository definition of Grace. “This Grace is a dynamic force that does more than affect our standing with God by crediting us with righteousness. This Grace affects our experience as well. Grace is always marked by God’s enabling work within us to overcome our helplessness.” THE END! Please, what else do you want to know about Grace? Haha! There’s more.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10 [KJV]
I’ve read about and experienced Grace. I still do. However, I’ll let you in on something. Before I typed the very first sentence in the body of this post, God directed me to check out one of Pastor Mike Todd’s teaching series on YouTube. I was mesmerized! So much confirmations and revelations in just one hour of preaching! Some insights on here were coined from his teaching. He said and I quote, “We are saved by Grace through faith for good works.” This statement summarizes the above scripture. We were not saved by Grace to remain in sin. We are saved by Grace for good works. Naturally, we want to do what our flesh wants. Thing is—we can do otherwise. We can ditch what our flesh wants and do what God loves. How? By tapping into God’s Divine power! By remaining connected to the Holy Spirit!
Friend, it is not God’s desire to see us struggle with our flesh till we get to Heaven. He more than anything desires that we live the victorious Christian life. But the question is— how can that be if we are disconnected from our Source? We’ll fall again and again—God’s limitless divine power notwithstanding. You know the desires of your flesh; the pride, the bad temper you can’t hold back, your love for getting even, your secret addictions, your desires to do things you used to do.
Dear, you are no longer the old you. You can overcome the temptations. You can say no to those habits. “Give God your heart and He will take care of your habits.”, said Pastor Mike Todd. You can be all God has predestined you to be. You only need to constantly depend on the Holy Spirit—The Father’s Promise—Our Comforter, Helper, Aid, Stand-by, Counselor.
“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” 2nd Peter 1:3-4 [NLT]
So Special One, when your next your flesh tries to get in the way, what do you do? Remember God’s empowering Grace is available to and within you.
Live victoriously!
With Selfless Love,
Abba’s Daughter—Your Sister.
