Monday 26th Aug, 2013. GRACE BUNDLES EVERYTHING Proverbs 3:27-35 “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble”. (James 4:6). Once upon a time I used to think diligence to God meant the believer had to do something in order to remain in God’s favour. For instance, I felt attending to all my fellowship programs, identifying with every single thing happening in the church was a requirement for acceptance. This, now I understand it to be “performance trap” according to Selwyn Hughes in one of his write ups edited and revised by Mick Brooks. It is called performance trap because although we have a responsibility to play in our fellowship with Christ, grace that comes from Him, bundles everything we need to follow Him without feeling guilt as to having some issues not dealt with. When we take upon ourselves the feelings of having to always to do something before God accepts us, we simply open a door of pride to come in and once pride sinks into a comfortable place in our hearts the tendency to exhibit a kind of character that says I did this or I had to do this before I saw result to my prayer begins to compete with grace in the believers life. “But He gives us more grace. That is why scripture says; God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). “For every step of our growth (maturity) in Christ Jesus, there is grace poured for Heaven above to help us meet with the challenges of the stage God has raised us to.” We cannot for instance, expect a young believer of probably a week old, exhibit a deep understanding with one who has worked with Christ by grace for a year. The older believer has gone through many trials that grace brought him forth as an overcomer, while the younger is probably still bubbling in the euphoria of his/her first encounter with Christ. The grace the older believer would probably have to spend long hours in prayer and supplications may be too heavy for the young believer. NOTE: Permit to sound a note of caution to older believers here. Let’s learn to carry along the weak in faith not by priding in the levels we have attained or the achievements we feel we have by pointing them to learning in the sufficient grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, to build them in Holy place. Remember what the scripture says in 1 Samuel 2:9 “He will guide the feet of the saints but the wicked will be silenced in darkness, it is not by strength that one prevails”. That one has brown to maturity in the things of God, does not mean He/She had strength or wisdom of her own. God takes the upright into His confidence and He blesses the house of the righteous. He mocks proud mockers and gives grace to the humble and the wise in Christ inherits honour. Beloved of God, there is a promise to the humble in Christ. He lifts them up and gives them a place with kings and queens. Is there anything you need to surrender to Him today for your lifting up? Grace comes with the bundle of everything we need to live in and for Him. Prayer: Dear Jesus, I confess my instinct to do something to earn your love, forgive me for harbouring it. I turn from all thoughts of trying to earn your approval, to rejoice in the grace You made available for me, in Jesus name! Amen! For further study, kindly read: Isaiah 57:14-19 and James 4:6-10.
Posted on: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 11:02:01 +0000
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