March 22nd
March 22nd
Let’s review a few important things week. Today let’s remind ourselves that it is all by grace. Each of us are all one choice away from disaster. There is no safe zone that allows us to set aside our faith and make choices that don’t line up with the Word of God. What? You mean if I sin I am going to hell even though I am saved? That is not what I am saying here.
We are saved by grace through faith, no question about that.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
We are utterly dependent upon the grace of God for our salvation, and we are utterly dependent upon the grace of God for our lives.
I said we are one choice away from disaster, I didn’t say damnation. If we are to be disciples making disciples how quickly one bad choice can ruin our witness. It is a good thing that God’s plan for us has grace built in to it.
It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to walk in the plan that God has for us.
We must have wisdom and realize that the goal of the enemy is not to hurt us or scare us, the goal of the enemy is to DESTROY us. He will use any little thing he can to get us to compromise our morals or our faith. He may use temptation, or anger, or flattery or any other means that he can to get to our mind and heart so that he can neutralize us. NO ONE is exempt.
1 Corinthians 10:12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
No matter who you are, be on your guard, the enemy is prowling so be aware of your weaknesses and of the things that easily distract or tempt you and RUN from them. The Bible says to flee from sin, don’t just turn your back or casually stroll away. And if it isn’t sin but will lead to sin for you, still run away.
1Peter 5:8-9 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
It is not a matter of your eternal fate, but it might be a matter of someone else’s! We, in our humanness, do sin, and we repent and we are forgiven. But our sin, although forgiven, can derail our witness to others and we must be conscious of that. Jesus said that the enemy cannot snatch us from the Father’s hand (although we can choose to jump out of His hand and walk away for good because we have free will) but the enemy’s attempts to destroy us may result in us making choices that ruin our witness to others. When that happens we must pray, pray, pray for those in our lives that may be affected by our sin. We must pray that the Lord sends them someone else to reflect Him into their lives so that they will still choose Him.
John 10:28-29 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
Thank God for His grace! Let us not be fooled into the schemes of the enemy. Let us keep the instructions of Jesus in mind as we go forth:
Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
Jesus, thank you for your grace and mercy. Help me to walk in your grace and full of grace. Holy Spirit help me to be wise and gentle. Help me to recognize the schemes of the enemy and flee from them. Give me discernment to recognize the satan’s schemes and the wisdom and power to overcome them. Shine your light in me and through me so that others can find your Truth. Father thank you that no one can snatch me from your hand and help me to stay put right there. Help me to live a life worthy of your calling. Help me to desire goodness. Thank you for your love and your plan!
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.