It’s always rather strange and funny to me that as I travel around the earth, I see the most hate and anger for God by the ones who have the most! The ones with the most stuff, the most education, the most money and the most “advanced” countries are typically the ones that also have the most need for The God of Grace – why is that?
“After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” – John 17:1-3
What is glory? What does it mean to be glorified? What battle was Jesus getting ready to fight and win hands down?
The battle for the legalist is a self-centered effort to look better, act better or pretend better in order to be closer identified with a particular group!
The battle for the Grace-Full is a growth in the knowledge of Who He Is, Where He Is and Who we Are In Him!
Who He Is – God Is Love! This is Not man based, conditional love – This Is God! God’s Love is unconditional, unwavering and eternal!
Where He Is – He Is In me and you! When Jesus comes into you at the point of accepting Him – He Never Leaves! He comes in and dines with you (this is to build the most intimate of a relationship with you in the Jewish custom).
Who we Are In Him – We Are A Child of The King! We are His friend! This doesn’t change based on actions or emotion – it’s a permanent relationship!
For Jesus the battle wasn’t about how much He had He had, how He looked to others or following the rules – It was All about Love! Love Glorifies The Father! Love shines His light in the darkest and deepest pits of Hell where so many exist today especially in more “advanced” nations!
Be with God in this moment! He will never leave you or forsake you so Be Aware of Him and the battle that you fight! Below is one way I do that. I start my morning and spend moments during the day meditating. This morning after two days of trying to write this devotional God spoke these words to me and it’s now a devotional meditation for me.
I find a quiet place, close my eyes, see The Father of Love and just breathe, while I:
Breathe in and say:
“’I AM’, Here and Now”
Breathe out and say:
“With you”
Practice this as you realize the battle that was won on the cross and the one you face today!
Most interesting as always bro.
It seems to me that those with the most think they have the most to lose, they usually don’t seem to realize it.
It reminds of me what the Christ said about how hard it is for a rich man to enter Heaven with it being easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.
I’ve noticed that those with everything actually have nothing for the things of the flesh will pass away.
I only know of one rich man who is giving all he has away, that being Bill Gates.
Once the richest man on Earth, he may still be. And he won’t leave anything to his children expecting them to go out and earn what they deserve.
There’s a lesson here, for all Christians I think.
As the second line from the Alt. Commun. motto says, “It’s not about money, it’s about grace.”
There is no buying into Heaven and going to Hell is free.
Jesus the Christ said, “I am the Way, I am the Truth and I am the Life. No one shall go before my Father except through me.”
Thanks for writing this bro.
~Scott.
Thank you brother and Amen!
I heard an old song again just yesterday and the chorus kept saying something about, “I am a victim of comfort!”
I think that most Americans and almost all the churchy type of Christians are in that boat – victims of comfort – most people have laws that they believe make them “ok” enough – without realizing that Christ Alone Heals, sets the prisoners Free and gives Rest to All who Believe!
The path is rather simple – He did it All, no longer under the Law so rest in His great Love that created this called Grace – but again most Never get it!
Thank you for sharing!