Are we motivated by grace? Does the groundwork and foundation for obeying and following Jesus start with pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps, trying hard, and doing our very best? Nope. No way. Impossible! We should recognize that our very best efforts to be pure and clean produce nothing better than dirty, filthy rags? When the starting line for this race is grace, and the power to obey and follow Jesus originates in grace, then, we are not alone in our fight to win, and Jesus is with us as we pursue the goal of walking in obedience to Him. The unmerited and undeserving grace of God, enables us to RUN HARD toward walking in purity because we are already forgiven. We dont have to work hard to be forgiven, and we dont have to do a lot of good works to make God love us, we are already loved and forgiven through the finished work of the Cross of Christ. So, its because of the grace of God at work in us that we produce fruit and become stronger. Falling down on the journey with Jesus is met with His outstretched hand of forgiveness. He lifts us up and puts our feet back on the paths of righteousness and obedience. When we start taking pride in how much stuff we do, how much we know, or how fast we run, thats when we begin running in our own strength and end up tripping all over our own feet. Scripture says, Pride comes before a fall. So, to prevent falling down, we should stop bragging, stop looking down on others, humble ourselves and realize that our victory and strength come from Jesus alone. John 15:1-11 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Posted on: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 13:41:36 +0000
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