i believe we have "thrown the baby out with the wash" in many ways in our walk with the Lord. In other words, in our realization of how sinful we are and how holy God is in our human reasoning (which is dangerous), we have come to the conclusion that we shouldn't get blessed by God because we don't deserve it. Of course, we don't deserve it but don't minimize the great love of God by thinking He is going to give us what we deserve instead of what He "wants" to give us. In John 10:10 Jesus said 10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. In the very next verse, Jesus says 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.
I don't claim to understand the grace of God, but I do live in it. What the grace of God does in my life is compel me to serve Him with a life that is willing to take up my cross and follow Him. Even my choice to serve Him is prompted by the realization of how blessed God has made me. I love His blessing and I think I should love it and not try to put anything of me in that blessing. I don't try to deserve the blessing He gives, because I cannot deserve it. It is a gift and that God-given gift is beyond compare. The Psalmist said this in Psalm 113:3 From the rising of the sun to its setting, The name of the Lord is to be praised. 4 The Lord is high above all nations; His glory is above the heavens.
Scripture also says the glory of the Lord is our strength and in Psalms 28: 7-9 scripture says 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart triumphs, And with my song I shall thank Him. 8 The Lord is their strength, And He is a refuge of salvation to His anointed. 9 Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever. I don't see my name mentioned anywhere in that verse that talks about the strength to live life. But keep in mind that God gives us HIS strength and that is a blessing in its own way. Here is a thought. JUST ACCEPT THE BLESSING AND MOVE ON!
When I sin I know that God's grace covers that sin and that grace allows me to distance myself from the effect of that sin on my walk with God and in that walk I have the opportunity to keep growing in the Lord, which is called sanctification. Oh, what a blessing! I don't feel guilty about receiving this great love from my heavenly Father. I just accept it and continue to ask Him, seek Him, and knock on His door and I do that because He told me to. 7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
Since we have an "open door" relationship with Jesus we can come to Him in prayer and learn from Him through His Word and therein lies the growth of the believer. What a blessing!! 1 John 1:9 says it this way 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. Without God's blessings, we have no salvation, or forgiveness, or righteousness. It is all about HIM! Praise God!
If you are asking God. He is listening. If you are seeking God. You will find Him. If you are knocking, God will open the door. What is behind that door? Only God knows for sure, but Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 2 that some of these mysteries are revealed only to those who are followers and that is definitely given to us as a "blessing." God wants to reveal more and more of Himself to His children and the answer to those mysteries are found in His Word. We need to seek Him in His word and see our life from His perspective. Isaiah 55:6-7 says it this way. 6 Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
7 Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.
Offer this great hope of salvation and abundant life to a lost person today and see what God will do in their life. It's contagious, but we need to take off the mask that has been a barrier to our sharing the gospel and let them be exposed to the great hope that only God can give. His wonderful grace is available to all. Receive His Blessing Today and then Give it Away!
The Pilgrimage Continues.
David Warren
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