To many, the Christian walk appears to be an easy one. "Believe and be saved" is the cry of many in the Christian world today. Although this statement is true, is it possible that some of us have underestimated what it means to believe in Jesus? Let's take a look.
The Bible teaches us that "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6
Here, we learn that not only must we believe that He is (that He exists and is alive, that He died and rose again), but we also must believe that He is a rewarder of those who dilligently seek Him. What reward is He talking about here? Is it heaven? I believe the reward is much more.
There is one particular gift God wants to reward us with if we simply ask for it. This gift is the Holy Spirit.
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”" Luke 11:13
And what does the Holy Spirit bring to our lives when we ask and receive Him?
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23
When we believe in Christ, we believe is able to gift us with the Holy Spirit that we may bear fruits of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Why? Because the purpose of Christ dying was not only to pay the penalty for our sins but to save us from our sins. Gods desire is to recreate His image in us that He may bring us to heaven one day.
Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? Ezekiel 18:31
A new heart, a new spirit He wants from us. One that no longer sins.
Our whole purpose was to be His image (a reflection of His character of love) when He created us but unfortunately we chose not to remain in His image through disobedience to. His law of love. After the fall of Adam and Eve, the Bible tells us that man was in the image of Adam (Genesis 5:3). Christ died to give us power to overcome sin that we may be recreated into His image. He came to this earth, was tempted like we were but overcame without ever sinning so that He can be an example of how to overcome.
This is what it means to have faith in Jesus, it's to have faith that He can do what He says He will do. That He can make us loving, joyful, peaceful etc. But we can't remain in our discouraging and negative thoughts about ourselves. By constantly thinking about our failures and our flaws we'll never change. Away with such thoughts! This is the enemy of our souls trying to keep us from transforming grace.
Let's be encouraged that "where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:" Romans 5:20 .
This means that even though you and I have sinned so much and feel like we've sinned too much sometimes, where sin is great in presence, grace much greater!
What's' this grace and what does it do for us?
"Grace is an attribute of God shown to undeserving human beings. We did not seek after it, but it was sent in search of us. God rejoices to bestow this grace upon every one who hungers for it. To every one He presents terms of mercy, not because we are worthy, but because we are so utterly unworthy. Our need is the qualification which gives us the assurance that we shall receive this gift." God's Amazing Grace
Grace is a gift, offered to undeserving sinners. As all gifts, this gift is free - there is nothing you can do of yourself to purchase it, it is freely given.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
It is by this grace that we are saved. We accept or receive this gift through faith. Through believing in Jesus and His mighty power to save. Do you still feel too weak? Like you can't go much longer in this battle? Remember these words:
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 9:12
When we feel our weakness this should send us running to Christ even more for His grace that He may sustain us through our difficulties. The Bible teaches us in that verse that it is through this weakness that the power of Christ can rest upon us. Because when we feel strong like we don't need any help, we are left to ourselves without the power of God. But when we are weak, then we are actually strong - true strength through the power of Christ.
Let's remember that we can "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16
You feel a great need for help? This is where God wants you to be! We are all desperately in need of help but some of us bury that feeling. It is when we embrace that feeling that we can find grace. Grace that heals, gives peace and creates us into a new creature.
Nature is a great reminder of Gods ability to create in us something amazing. Go to the countryside, look around you at the mountains, the plains, the animals, the night sky etc. How great and mighty are the works of God?
"“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?" Jeremiah 32:27 .
Amen, praise the Lord! Nothing is too hard for God. If He created the sun, moon and stars can He not create in you a new heart? Victory over your sins? Victory over your weaknesses, your inherited traits of character, your addictions, your passions, your lusts and your traumas? Victory over your depression, your anxiety, your marriage problems and your problems with your children. Of course He can! Believe! Claim the promises!
You don't believe? Jesus even has a solution for this. Cry out: "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" Mark 9:24. Jesus can even help you believe. He truly is amazing. All He is looking for is someone who wants the help and asks for it. He can even help you to be willing to want help! You know how sometimes we can have a bad habit, for example smoking, and not want to stop even though we know we should? Well, even this you can bring to Christ and ask Him to help you be want to stop. He changes even our desires when we ask Him "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." Philippians 2:13 . God puts that desire, that will in us.
Yes this world is difficult to live in, yes we will go through trials and hardships but Christ has not left us to ourselves. He died to give us the example of true faith. One that holds on to God continually and transforms. It is through perfect faith that Christ was able to never sin. So today, we can through faith live a life of obedience to God's holy law, the law of love and liberty. Will you take hold of the gift of grace through faith that you may enjoy peace that surpasses understanding?
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
God bless you, Jesus loves you!
Much love and smiles,
Nahisha :)