NOT CHEAP GRACE
NOT CHEAP GRACE
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree (cross), that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed.
What types of sons and daughters are you?
Are
you saying that if your parents have asked you to empty the smelly trash or clean
up the kitchen on weekends, you have decided not to be their sons and daughters?
This can’t be because you know they are your parents!
Similarly, do you know God has become your Heavenly Father the day you accepted HIM as your Lord and
Saviour? There is a spirit born into us the moment we confess, “God, I want to
believe in You and accept You as my Lord and Saviour.” Between us and our parents,
we are born of flesh and blood. But between God and us, we are born of His Spirit.
Those born of God’s spirit are a new creation; the old (sinful life) has
died. We are ‘saved’ for an everlasting life in the future.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh (human birth), and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Many
people have a very wrong perception of coming to believe in God. They either
came to test if God could help them to do this or that for them. If God does
not meet their expectations, HE is fake and unreliable. They are hurried to abandon
their faith (belief) and throw in the towel. They may even come to test how much ‘blessings’ or ‘benefits’ they could receive, like putting God to the test. Walking
a journey of faith with God is not their priority or motivation.
Their
mouths are quick to speak words to abandon a blessing. They may have imprudently said, “I don’t want to believe
in God anymore!”
Beware! What we say out of our mouth opens a doorway (gives permission) for the
thief (evil one) to come and steal, kill and destroy.
The thief (evil one) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy….
Do not speak in haste and allow the evil one to come and steal away your calling, kill your inspiration, destroy your dreams, and hope for your life.
Eternal life is God’s mercy and grace given to us, a divine gift we can’t throw away or give up! Can we accept a gift with both our hands and then, next, throw it away? This is an insult to God!
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.
God’s
salvation is not something cheap to exchange or be treated flippantly. Whether HE
will bless us, did not bless us, or put us to a test, we still must have a
grateful heart towards all that HE has done for us on the cross of Calvary.
Instead
of succumbing to hardships, tell ourselves, “I can do it! I will do my very
best and complete the assignment, the project, the internship, the training, or
the new job”, “I can do all things in Christ Jesus!”, “Nothing is impossible
with God!”, “God has given me wisdom and talents to do my internship”, “I am a
problem solver because my God is a problem solver!”, “I can forgive this person
with God’s love and forgiveness for me”..…, and continue to declare all the positive
words over yourselves.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Instead
of sulking with bitterness and disappointment over difficulties and hardships, let’s
turn everything over to God and let HIM help us. The Bible does not mention that
all things in life will be smooth and well after we come to Christ Jesus. Instead,
we are told that in this world there are tribulations, but as the Lord Jesus has
already overcome the world, we can overcome our problems with His divine
(heavenly) help.
These things I have spoken to you, that in ME you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I (Jesus) have overcome the world.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, forgive me for being quick to speak words that displease You. In the name of Jesus, I cancel every negative word I have spoken that will cause me to lose any blessing that YOU have entitled for my life. In the name of Jesus, I reverse every negative word spoken and recover all the blessings You want to bless me. Once again, I recommit my life to YOU and trust that as Your son (daughter), I am a blessed child of God. I will receive God’s help and support for any difficulties and challenges I may encounter because YOU have already overcome the world. In Jesus' name, Amen!
Comments