So Grace saves us. When we received God’s Grace it transformed our identity. As I have said, we go from sinner to saint. Our destiny goes from hell to Heaven. Yet as I have also said, while this innermost transformation is instant, our outer reality takes a bit more time and effort. In other words, a saint still sins. And so Grace continues to save us. When we sin, because sadly we will whether intentionally or not, our identity and destiny do not change…but our display of it might. We do not bear good witness to the world of what it means to have been given Grace. It also causes a disconnect between us and God because this is not who we are anymore. When we sin on purpose and do not repent, our hearts get a bit harder…and it is harder to sense the Holy Spirit’s guidance within us.
Think of this like a pipe that becomes coated with gunk. Any flow of water through that pipe becomes hindered, right? Well, the flow from God to us does the same…and through us? It often stops up so much we do not allow His Grace to overflow from us. Everyone is affected by and hurt because of our sin. So how do we get rid of it? We confess our sin to God. Not because He does not already know about it. Not because He has not already paid the price to forgive us for it. But because we need to own it. Because we need to realize what we have been doing is a problem. Because we need to be willing to receive God’s Grace to be healed of the sin.
This is a very important and tough topic as I know many Christians who struggle with an ongoing sinful habit. They may have received the Grace to go to Heaven, but what about Grace to live heavenly here? If we are not willing, or ready, to admit we are still in desperate need of God’s help, then we will only cycle back and forth with the sin until it steals, kills and destroys us. This is the enemy’s agenda. (see Jn 10:10) But God! Jesus came to be our Savior, not just once, but daily. Our part? Receive His help. Confess our sin. Lay it down at the foot of the Cross and pick up a new measure of His Grace in its place. This is what God desires, to continue pouring His Grace into our hearts until it overflows into every area of our lives. Will we let Him?
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
July: Financial Freedom “Complete Guide to Money” by Dave Ramsey
August: Summer’s Soul Restorer “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by W Phillip Keller
September: Covering Our Children: “Prayers for the Prodigals” by James Banks
October: Reformation of Our Hearts: “Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine” by Max Lucado
<>< Peace, Diane
