Grow in Grace

I want to just share what I’ve been learning in the past year.  My life was always in conflict from what I knew the Bible said and the reality of my life.

Jesus said His burden is easy and yoke is light.  That certainly wasn’t a picture of my Christian Life.  The biggest frustration with my Christian life is that it wasn’t any different than that of a non-believer, “gutting  out” my Christian walk.  Kind of God helps those who help themselves.  I was living a powerless life trying to “live the Christian life.”

I was under the belief that I had to do something to gain God’s favor ( to get Him to listen to me) Go to church more, pray more, read my Bible more, blah, blah blah!

Here is the TRUTH about our relationship with Him:

• All that Jesus is before God, so am I.
  • For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for me that I might become the righteousness of God in Him!
  • His Righteousness, His Perfection has been transferred to me.
  • I can’t be more righteous
  • I can’t gain more of His favor
  • I have it!
  • Where sin abounds (HIS GRACE ABOUNDS EVEN MORE)

My Christian life was like someone buying me a first class ticket on a luxury liner with all the amenities and I’m down in steerage living on soda crackers.

Now when I fall short I say, thank you Jesus for your perfect sacrifice.  I realize I can’t out sin God’s Grace!  He will never leave me or forsake me.  Never, never, never, never!

Not only has he forgiven my sin but has given me a clear conscience before Him.  My walk now is practicing who I am and entering into His rest,  That is what growing in grace is all about.

My life is now living and doing out of a thankful heart for what He has done for me.  I appreciate his deep unexplainable love for me.  That is what motivates me to appropriate His power in my life.  Every time Satan brings up my past I say, I am perfect in Him the One who paid my price for my sin (past – present – future)  So when the accuser uses my past to try to discourage me I just thank God that have His righteousness forever!! I am perfect before God, always!

Yes, I take advantage and abuse God’s grace every day.  Should I say I can sin and do what ever I want with my life?  No, when I realize what He has done for me it motivates me to move closer to Him and His will.

Falling from grace is when we substitute God’s grace and substituting “doing something” to earn His favor.  My heart is established by His Grace!!!  We were taught that sinning causes us to fall from His grace.  (Blasphemy!)

Forgive my ramblings but let me ask you a few questions.

• What does it mean for you, friend, to grow in God’s grace?

• How do you please Him with your life?

• What is necessary for you to please God?

Here’s what my prayers are like these days.  Lord, You said it, I didn’t, I’m not making this up.

• I’m not the one who said:

• • I’ll meet my every need, You said it, I didn’t.
  • I’ll never leave you or forsake you, You said it, I didn’t
  • Trust you in all things, You said it, I didn’t
  • You forgave “all” not some of my sins, You said it I didn’t
  • Rest in Me, I will provide, You said it, I didn’t

Do you see the change in the focus away from me to Him?  That’s where He wants it!

I could go on and on but hopefully this addresses what I wanted to share.

” But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18

George Churilla