John 1:10-13
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
This is the Gospel. We that have receive are ever familiar with it right? As I have been studying this first chapter of John a word stood out to me. The word "will." My husband and I are in a time of life (and who isn't) when we desperately want to know what God's specific will is for us in some of our aspects of life. So when I read the will of the flesh and the will of man, my ears perked up. The word will in the Greek here is translated: determination, choice, purpose, or desire. It was not our own determination that saved us from being condemned to hell. It was Christ paying the price for our sin and us receiving the free gift of grace. If that is how relationship with Christ begins for every person looking forward to Heaven, then why do we get off that train and board another. What I mean is we begin in grace and then move towards works. We are not alone in this tendency. Paul wrote to the Galatians on the same issue: Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Galatians 3:3.
Just as we are saved by faith we are sanctified by that same faith. Webster states sanctification like this: the state of growing in divine grace as a result of Christian commitment after conversion.
So basic but as you may relate I find myself constantly trying to "better myself" by my own determination. That only ever gets frustrated because my determination is in reality self-worship. YUCK! We have to go to Jesus with our areas of "messed up" and trust Him to change and by trust we are propelled to do the our part in the work of change. There is nothing that I have found that motivates me to change like trusting God. Trusting God brings a PEACE that can face any ingrained behavior that would other wise leave you feeling hopeless for change.
The challenge my beloved reader is this. Is there something in your life God started for change to make you more like Him? Have you continued to work with Him in His grace or have taken hold of it for yourself with your own will of determination to bring about change? Let's get back to the best thing. Trusting Him with our whole hearts/minds! I am praying for you today.
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