My Works Have Nothing to Do With It
“For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast,” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
God gives us the gift of rest in his grace. I have been wondering how to have bold faith to fight my sin and bold grace in my life. How do the two interact? The truth is that I am always able to fight sin from the standpoint of rest. I have grace to set my head down upon, to recline upon. I always know what God’s answer will be for me when I go to him for forgiveness—it will always be grace. I can fight sin boldly knowing that I already have the complete forgiveness of God for all of my past and all of my earthly future.
I have a solidity of rest in this grace because I know that my works do not sway the hand or viewpoint of God. He has set himself for me in Christ, and this disposition is not going to change. Grace is as sure as the righteousness of Christ is complete. And, that is a place where there will be no shifting in God. Grace is foundational to my every breath and step as a Christian. If we are not living from grace, we are not living from the gospel. If we do not have a bold confidence in grace, then we are misunderstanding how the gospel is meant to inform our very lives.
I am thoroughly convinced that God wants us to make grace our haven. It is surely ours; we do not have to be timid about it. We know that his grace will meet all of our needs—and that it is a gift he will not be taking back from us. Rest in grace, reader. Rest in his gift that is not of yourself. It is heavenly and glorious—there is simply nothing like it.
Dear Jesus, my Lord, I thank you for the gift of grace that did not come from me and my works. I can live confidently because I know that your grace is my foundation and my footing. I can boldly fight the sin in my life because I am rested in my being through the gift of grace that will never leave. I thank you for such a peace and such a strength. My works have nothing to do with it—and that is the blessed eternal truth. Amen.
The Darkness of Self-centeredness Flees
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).
Jesus shines. The Scriptures will never let us overlook the truth that Jesus shines in the darkness. Jesus shone in a world filled with hopelessness, strife, and self-righteousness. So, he and his ways shine in our lives when we feel the tinges of all of those areas of darkness, and more. Jesus shines to show us the way to the Father.
Jesus came to be a light for our world. And, think of how the world needs the Lord Jesus. Self reigns in the world—and self-focused thinking creeps into our Christianity too. But, God did not make us to focus on self; he made us to focus on our God and live for him. He made us to find a way of life that could benefit others and heft all of the praise of our lives onto God, and not onto ourselves.
When we start thinking highly of ourselves, darkness creeps into our lives. When we fail to give God the thanks for the accomplishments we accrue, darkness creeps into our lives. When we think that we are great and fail to see ourselves in light of the true greatness of God, again, darkness creeps into our lives. We were not made for these loads of darkness. Only the light of the knowledge of God will free us. When Jesus comes, he sweeps through our minds and reorients our thinking. Our gifts, our good accomplishments, our abilities—they all come from God without whom we would have nothing.
The light of Jesus shines in the darkness of self-centeredness. It tears us away from what we thought we needed—to become great and accomplished in this world. His light causes us to accept his purposes for our lives, even when we won’t accomplish what we wanted, what we hoped, what we conceived of. Jesus’ way is better because it’s all about him. And fear not—though the darkness of self-centeredness is great, the light of God is greater—and it truly does change us.
My dear Jesus, I am sorry for the ways that I have lived for myself. I am sorry for the ways I have thought of myself instead of you. I am sorry for the ways that I have sought greatness or grandness. I am sorry. You are great, and your light makes this darkness in my life flee. You love faithfulness to you, and seeking your honor and glory down into the very corners of my life. You love when all of the greatness and glory are ascribed to you. And this is truly a different way of life—to live for you first. It is a blessed way of life. Let me take it up all the more. Correct me and be the light for my path, my Savior, I ask. Amen.
To Show Me the Way
“In him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4).
Jesus came to earth to show us the way of life. Think of the way that he interacted with people in great compassion. Think of how he lived a meager life here for eternal glory in times to come. Think of how he performed healing miracles—giving us way to know that he is God of very God. Think of how he was humble and lowly with those who were burdened and had questions. Think of the way that he brought comfort and peace to those who were grieving. Think of how he submitted to the will of the Father—even when it cost him everything—showing us that we must also die to ourselves. Think of how Jesus prayed and prayed and prayed—staying connected to the Father all of his life.
Jesus did these things and so much more. His way of life, then, illumines our path. When we wonder how to act and be, we can go to the life of Jesus to find ourselves impressed with the beauty of his version of humanity. His way was hope and life and peace. His way was everything we need to know about what beauty in the form of frailty looks like. He took our body upon himself—the flesh of all mankind. And, he became obedient and resilient in all of his ways.
He was born of woman that we might be born again in him—unto a new way of life that is characterized by serving and humble steps with our God. Jesus lights the way for us. He is the Word, who lived and breathed and showed us how to truly live. May we emulate Jesus Christ in his marvelously humble life. If God can be that humble, surely we creatures can humble ourselves unto his way.
Dear Jesus, thank you that your life provided light for my path and footing for my steps. You are beautiful. The way that you lived your life here is stunning in majesty. For you set aside your heaven to come to earth for us. And, that is more that my mind can lay hold to understanding. But, I thank you for it. I love you for it. I need it. It’s gloriously kind. I pray that your patterns of life would become my patterns of life. Let me be more like you, my Light and Life. Thank you for coming to show me the way. Amen.
I Sprang from You
“All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made,” (John 1:3).
It is a refreshing truth—to dwell upon our beginnings, to remember the fount from which we sprang. It is a refreshing truth to believe and know that one has a Creator who oversees the days of life. It is a blessed reality to think that the creation had an origin in a Person—and that Person is still overseeing everything that was made, to give it life and being in the great common grace of our Lord. These are very blessed truths.
And, I am struck today by the reality that Jesus made all things, and upholds them through the Word of his power. I am struck because this truth makes me feel extraordinarily connected to him. The fiber of my being, the essence of my person, the shape of my spirit and soul, and synapses of my brain all find their origin in the Lord. I am bound to a Person for my state and existence. I thank God that when mankind fell from Eden, we never became out of the reach of the God who created us. He did not stop sustaining life.
God does well with those he created. He does well with his creation. He brings it to a fitting end and purpose. All things will be set right again—this will happen in accordance with his character. The God who set things up will set things right. And, praise God that I will be found in Christ on that holy day. Praise God.
Dear Jesus, thank you that I am so connected to you, the Person. It is not mere life that courses through me—it is you, the Life. I am so thankful that you sustain my existence, and so thankful that you created me. I praise you that I can know my Creator—you are not distant but present. You did not abandon your creation but chose to set it right again. I thank you for the connection eternally that I have to you. I sprang from you. I was given life in you. I am not autonomous, but utterly dependent. And, that is a truth that fills my soul with purpose. If you give life again this day, it is because you are the Life sustaining all things. Thank you for your strong arm of salvation to give life eternal. You do not undo me because of my sin; you rescue your creation. Thank you for providing a path of rescue for anyone who might believe in you. Amen.
For Speaking to Me
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1-2).
Jesus is here called the Word—divine disclosure of the will of God. We are right to understand that God wants, therefore, to communicate with us. He wants us to understand him—not fully, of course, by truly. And, we come to understand him through the one who was sent of God. We understand him through Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh.
He dwelt among us. And, we know that he did and spoke everything in his life in accordance with the Father. They worked in perfect compatibility through Jesus’ mission on earth. The Father was delighted in the Son—and the Son took refuge in the Father through prayer.
We are right to believe that God wants to walk with us, to be with us, to communicate with us, and to work with us. We are right to believe that he drew near to us and took up our cause in a beautifully intimate way. We are right to rely upon his heart for us—his high priestly concern and attunement to our needs. We are right to treasure his very intercessions for us before the Father. We are right to believe that Jesus is for us.
Jesus is God. The Word is God. And, the Word has made God known to man.
Think of it—this one who cooked the disciples breakfast (John 21:1-14) is the one who is only begotten of the Father, in eternal bliss within the Godhead. God has spoken. And, he has done so through this wonder of a Person, Jesus Christ.
Jesus, I want to hear the words of these verses as though for the first time. I want to react with utter gratitude that you came to this earth to take on flesh and dwell with us. I want to wonder at the ministry you took up for my rescue. I thank you for being the Word made flesh. I thank you for the self-disclosure of God. The garden of Eden closed the opportunity to walk with you—until you came to this earthly soil and made a home with us. You caused to be possible what we, mankind, destroyed with sin. You, the Word, have made yourself known to us. And, as I begin this new year, I thank you for speaking to me in Jesus, the Word.
Greetings This Christmas Day
As we fill our plates with celebratory food and turn to the giving of gifts to one another, we can reflect upon the manner of Jesus’ birth. Praise God that he is lowly in heart. For while we give of our plenty, we also know our own wants and needs—the poverty of our hearts apart from Christ. He did not regard the high, but the lowly. And, he came the share with us in want and need so that he might be forever the King of our hearts and our treasure.
Anselm wrote:
“O loveable, O admirable condescension! God of boundless glory, Thou didst not disdain to be made a contemptible worm. Lord of all things, Thou didst appear as a slave among slaves. It seemed too little to Thee to be our Father; Thou didst deign, O Lord, to be our Brother also. Nay, more; Thou, Thou the Lord of all things, who hadst need of nothing, didst not refuse, even at the very outset of Thy human life, to taste to the full the inconveniences of most abject poverty. For, as the Scripture says, there was no room for Thee in the inn (St. Luke ii. 7) when Thou wast about to be brought forth, nor hadst Thou cradle to receive Thy frail and delicate frame; but Thou, Thou who boldest [sic] the earth in the palm of Thy Hand, wast laid, wrapt in rags, in the vile manger of a filthy cattle-shed; and Thy Mother shared with brute beasts a stall for her hospice. Be comforted, be comforted, you that are nurtured in filth and want, for your God is with you in your poverty.”
Jesus Has My Affections
Jesus has my affections. I love to think of the tenderness of Jesus. He corrects me without the sting. He welcomes me closer without judgment. He molds me without shaming me. He is careful with my spirit, the spirit that He created.
He is love, and all that He does is done in great love. He is a marvel, the one who does no wrong. He stands alone, and His work in me is flawless. He accepts me—right now, in this moment, with weaknesses, flaws, and imperfections. I am surprised that He would even interact with me, but He goes further, deeper: He loves me.
Have you experienced the life-changing love of God? Have you experienced the love that is beyond all other loves? Some stand at a distance from Christianity because it can be hard, for myriad reasons, to recognize we are sinners and to choose to repent of our sins. But right on the other side of that repentance is the best relationship you’ve ever had, the best love you could ever know, and the biggest welcome you can fathom. God loves to welcome His children home. Don’t wait. Don’t wait one more minute to love Jesus, for the first time—or to be restored to Him.
Jesus has my affections. The world or others might try to woo them. But, they are fastened on Jesus Christ, the only Son of God.
Quiet Awe
Have you recently taken a moment for repose? A time to consider, dwell upon, all that God has done in your life? Perhaps you might consider writing a list. Perhaps a mental list of praise suffices. Either way, I think we all do well to consider the way salvation has touched us uniquely.
Some categories I think in:
How has God uniquely unveiled Himself to me?
How have I learned more about who He is?
In what way(s) has my behavior changed because of the work of God in my life?
How has my countenance been lifted by God?
How has God shaped the course of my life, the concrete steps from place to place and the intangible activities of life and time?
What would my life be without God, if that can even be imagined?
How is God preparing me for eternity with Him?
Who has God brought into my life for encouragement, aid, blessing, protection, knowledge, etc.?
All of these questions can provide for reflection in thinking about the work of God in our lives. Most of all, however, as I reflect, I am brought to a sense of awe. I think about the holy ground God designated with Moses. I think of the ornate and intricately designed Tabernacle, and then the Temple. And now, I think about how we are temples of the Holy Spirit. God is truly at work in His place, this temple of His. It is a holy place of His presence, and I want to keep it as such—to grow to regard it as such. His work is here. His mark is here. His presence is here. This, my body, is, as it were, holy ground.
As I reflect upon the work of God in my life, I have a quiet awe. He is here. And, the progress of my life is good because He is good. And, the progress of my life is holy because He is holy. And the progress of my life is based on knowing Him more in my spirit. He does this work with His children—lets us know Him more and walk with Him. Hushed, quieted, holy awe.
I Sin
Jesus is glad when I acknowledge the truth: I sin. I can feel the heart of Jesus being pleased when I own the wrong that I do. I find this ownership of sin the entrance point to experiencing and tasting His mercy and grace. 1 John 1:8 preaches: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” So, confession of sin is one of the signs that the Spirit of God is with us, that we love Christ, and that the truth of God is the foundation of our thought.
What about you? Do you find confession of sin difficult? My tendency is to be self-righteous, to show God the good that I have done, rather than the wrong that I have done. But I find the frequent passages in Scripture to search ourselves and to ask God to search us instructive. That is a renewal prayer for my spirit: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24). Self-righteousness is, thankfully, a stain that the blood of Christ can remove. And, He is drawing me closer through my on-going acknowledgments that I sin, again and again. I find myself abiding in this place of neediness before Him—and it is a blessing to me.
You see, when I notice that self-righteousness rise in my heart, I search myself for the truth. I find within me that I have made correct confession to God. “I sin.” I start there with Jesus once again. And, that confession is freedom because the truth sets us free. Jesus is kind to remind me that the journey to admission of my sinfulness is the journey to freedom.
God Pursues Us
Throughout the narrative of Abram/ Abraham in Genesis, we see God frequently reminding Abraham of His promises to him. We see God testing Abraham with Isaac and reiterating the covenant. We see God requiring circumcision of Abraham and those of His clan. We see the smoking fire pot and flaming torch. We see God calling him to a new place, new land. We see God visiting Abraham with words of promise, pertinent to God’s covenant with him.
How is God pursuing you? What is He reminding you of? Lately, God has been reminding me that I am [part of] the bride of Christ. The New Testament calls the church Jesus’ bride. Jesus has been visiting me with this metaphor and reality. He has been pursuing me with it. And the result? I feel wanted and desired by God. I feel His kind protection over me. I feel His delight in me. I feel His watchcare over me. I feel tucked in on all sides by Him and His kind will for my life.
It is wonderful to feel the husbandly protection and care of the Almighty God. What area of the new covenant is He pursuing with you? Perhaps it is reminders of the full forgiveness of your sins. Perhaps you are feeling adopted into His family. Perhaps you are considering the indwelling of the Spirit. Maybe you are gaining courage to know that we are a priesthood of believers. Whatever it is, may you be blessed to know that God pursues us and reminds us of the beautiful truths that are ours throughout the new covenant in His blood.
Faith Has Never Failed Me
Pay close attention to that title. My faith has failed—yes. But, faith in Jesus Christ has never failed me. I am learning how vital to Jesus faith is. It is, I believe, part of the purpose of us who believe remaining here on earth prior to being taken and transformed. I have often wondered: Why does Jesus have such patience with those He has saved being still capable of sinning against Him? What has He appointed this in-between time when we are still capable of such failures?
I think part of the answer (surely missions is an answer), is that Jesus Christ is glorified by the faith of His saints. One day, faith will be made sight. But here and now, the one who believes even when He hasn’t seen is blessed.
And, what greatly encourages me about faith is that Jesus responds to our faith. We are taught to ask and believe that we will receive what corresponds to His will. We are taught in the gospels to pray with faith and belief. We are taught to pray with the understanding that God wants to answer us. He wants us to approach Him with the confidence of belief in His power and willingness to answer us.
I have believed in the Lord for support, for strength, for healing—and He has answered these prayers so beautifully in my life. God loves our faith. We won’t have opportunity to give Him faith-instead-of-sight in glory. We have the opportunity now.
Jesus Is Precious
When I woke up this morning, I didn’t expect Jesus to lead me to see ways I’m unfaithful to Him. But He did. And that is His love.
The afternoon commenced with a renewed, steadfast pledge to do better. When I see Him, I want Him to know that I gave it my all. That I sought with everything in me to be His and His alone. That’s what I want. And today, Jesus called me to act on it. “Faith does.”
I have come to long for His love, the kind of love that makes me better, holier, and more righteous. It’s a pure, exquisite love. And, like all with Jesus, it makes me fall in awe.
Moving deeper into faithfulness to Him is a way to show Him that He is the most precious to me. That there is no one like Him. That He is my one and only. It is a way to protect my relationship with Him against any tear or break.
Frankly, I didn’t know I had the power to choose the start of this faithfulness. But He told me it’s what He wanted, what He needed, from me. And, I found the power. For Jesus is precious to me.
Jesus Is My Future
Jesus controls the future. We may know what we want. Or, know what we think we want. But Jesus knows better. He truly does work all things out for our good and His glory. If we can be assured of that, then we can have peace with regard to the future.
I have some questions in to Jesus, questions about the future that He sees fit not to answer. I seem to always have questions for Jesus about the future. And here’s what I am learning to see: Jesus is my future.
If I can be assured that the future will be for my good, that the future will be for Jesus’ glory, and that Jesus is my future, I can have great rest.
I think I used to view the future as a frightening unknown. And I am not saying that I still don’t. My mind travels there. But more deeply than ever, I believe that Jesus being my future means that I need not fear.
When has He ever failed me? Never. Never. Never. And, He won’t. He won’t. Why, friends, do I even need to remind myself of that? It should be a superfluous, redundant thought. But I think in a human way. And, He sees fit to allow reassurances that I shouldn’t need. It is His mercy.
Jesus is my future. That’s all I need to know.
When We All Get to Glory
“When we all get to glory, what a day of rejoicing that will be/ When we all see Jesus we’ll sing and shout the victory”—so goes the popular hymn. Can you imagine the victory shouts of glory? Can you imagine the day when sinning will be no more? Can you imagine the day when all will be pure and glorious at last? God has given us the victory in Christ Jesus. We have victory over sin, the devil, lies, hurt, pain, death, and hell. We have victory over ourselves, our own carnal ways. We have victory in our relationships. We have victory in our eternal trajectories. We have victory in enjoying God forever.
Think about how it will feel to finally see Jesus. I think that He’ll rejoice with each of us over the fruit, the good Christian fruit, in all of our lives. So merciful is He. I think He’ll welcome us with open arms. And then, we’ll be so happy to praise Him, the only Savior, forever. Can you imagine looking into His eyes? I’m drawn in by the thought—how beautiful His eyes will be to gaze into! How beautiful simply to observe Him and see how He acts and what He does! How majestic to see Him praised by myriad people shouting “great is the Name of the Lord!” For His Name is very great, even as He is perfect.
God Is Near
God is near through our trials and tribulations. Do you know the friendship of God? He is ever-loving toward us. And there is nothing that can separate us from Him. No temptation can ever ultimately pull us from Him, who believe. He is most lovely and long-suffering with us. His love and goodness fill us.
I have known the nearness of God in my lowest moments, in my darkness moments, in my moments of fiercest battle with sin. I have known the presence and help of my God when in gravest trials. And I have known the nearness of my God through the day-to-day difficulties of a life not at all what I expected or hoped.
I have known the presence of my God, and His continual care and leadership of me. How good it is to be in the care of the Almighty, who fiercely protects, who does all for His own. How good it is to be a living sacrifice, and tell God we would go wherever and do whatever he pleased. God is near, friends. God is near.
Thankfulness
What freedoms I have! I have the freedom to pursue God, to learn from my mistakes, to gain closer fellowship with Him. I have freedom to choose Him and learn about Him more through books and schoolwork. I have the freedom to write here, and express what He is doing within me. I have freedom to read the Bible, journal, and pray—and reach out to Him from the depths of my being.
From where I stand, I have a very wonderful life. I have a happy little life, right here is a country town where the snow lays over the bare tree branches as the pines are replete with tree-glory in the winter shade. I have a beautiful little life with my family and daughter who is daily delighting me with who she is becoming and what she is learning.
I have my God, who is so very patient with me and my progress. And I have many gifts from Him—not excluding a cozy home that already feels like mine just a few months after moving in. And, I have a schedule that lets me linger, truly linger, in prayer with Him both in the mornings and in the afternoons.
I am looking with thankfulness to my life, and I see much reason for gratitude.
Wretched Woman That I Am
“Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24). I am in agreement with the Apostle Paul. Wretched woman that I am! Jesus has to remind me to steer away from the same sins repeatedly. And then, I tend to minimize my sins before Him. Finally, doubts enter my mind. And all of that adds up to my pronouncement.
Paul would not have written it if it were not true. Oh, I am glad to find a friend in Paul—not glad that we both consider ourselves wretched or that we have existed in such states. But I am glad to know that Jesus saves those in our condition. How kind and gentle a Savior He is. Truly. He firmly steers me aright.
And from this view, acknowledging more and more of my real need for Jesus, the cross appears absolutely marvelous. That God would die for sinners, while still sinners! That God would die for me! It is beyond my understanding.
How I Love Jesus
Oh, how I love Jesus! He is all. Wonder of wonders. Master and Savior. Friend and Counselor. Guide and Companion. King and Lord. Ruler of all. Gentle Shepherd. He speaks to my soul with a calming voice. He arouses my attentions with commands. He enlivens my senses with His interactions. How I love Jesus.
There is no one like Him. There is no one who approaches His warmth, kindness, His power and majesty. Eternity will be marvelous—bowing before the one who condescended to love us.
I think about how God regretted that He made man (Genesis 6:6). But still, He came to die for our sins, to save us from wrath, for the joy! He is ever giving me the reorienting truths of His Word, and comforting applications of His kindness.
Jesus is my sweet melody. He is my reason. He is my Word. He is the one I marvel at. How I love Jesus!
Queen of Fears
Have you ever known someone with more fears than me? I would venture to say you have not. It is my fear that keeps me from greater closeness with Jesus. It is my fear that keeps me from communing with Him as I so desire to do.
Will you join me in condemning fear? Jesus did not give us a spirit of timidity—but of power, love, and sound judgment (2 Timothy 1:7). I can sometimes fear that I am not solidified enough in who I am, or that I will be swept away down a foolish path. But I put my faith in Jesus, who has led me out of every pit. I put my faith in Him that He would redeem me from anything that comes upon me, or any ways I am misled. He is the Shepherd who goes after the one lost sheep—and that lost little sheep is me.
I don’t fear losing my salvation because Jesus is my Shepherd. He has promised me eternal life. And, that is the future I have. I don’t fear being lost to sin, because I have a Shepherd who plucks me from the grip of the enemy. I don’t fear that I will develop a wrong pattern of thinking that will alienate me from God. For, Jesus is my perfect, never-failing intermediary with the Father. And Jesus straightens my paths—even my paths of thought. Isn’t He good? May I not be the queen of fears anymore. Amen.
With Jesus, I don’t need to fear.
He Wants Me
Jesus wants me. This, the foundation for life and living. He wants me in relationship with Him. He wants me to know Him. He wants me near to Him. He wants me to know that He rejoices over me with singing. He wants me to know that I am the apple of His eye.
Thinking about Jesus wanting me, wanting a relationship with me fills me—as with elation. Nothing is better than this: to know that the God of all creation, the eternal one with matchless name, wants me. And He wants me to know Him more; He wants to unveil more of Himself to me. I am wrapped in Him, in His wanting of me. It’s so good. Oh, I am happy in Jesus.
Do you know the sweetness of the presence of Jesus? Do you find yourself satisfied with Him every day? Cherish no sin in your heart, become a living sacrifice, live by faith and give all to find the sweetness of knowing Jesus and being known by Him. And I will keep these before my eyes too. Still, I know that He has wanted me from before all time, and that hasn’t changed through sin and doubt. He wants me.