Yeah, I can hear you asking 'what is Sarah going on about this time?' It's just something I was musing about recently and thought to share with you.
I've been an avid fan of the musical talent show 'The X Factor' until recently when I lost interest in certain aspects of the show. One main feature of the show is that there are three or four judges; each judge mentoring a group of contestants, whom they groom, train and encourage to win. After each week's performance, each contestant is critiqued by all the judges. One thing I noticed in the years I've watched the show is that some contestants never sing in tune, on key, to time or in sync with the theme of the week. When the performance of such artists is being analysed by the other judges, they do not mince words and sometimes dish out such biting criticism that even the audience at home cringe.
However, when it is the turn of their mentor to comment, no matter how obviously disastrous the performance was, they would have something good to say about it. The mentor may then later, behind the scenes, challenge their mentee and work with them to improve on their areas of weakness and to deliver a better performance next time. But as far as condemning them in public goes, they won't go harsh on them.
When I consider all this, it reminds me of how God is both our judge as well as our mentor. The devil also tries to judge us, after all, he is called 'the accuser of the brethren', or in today's English, 'the one who never has anything good to say about Christians, but is quick to point the condemning finger at them and tell them they are wrong at every given opportunity'.
But God is a fair judge and because we are now in Christ Jesus, he won't condemn us.
'THEREFORE, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit' Romans 8:1 AMP
So, when sometimes our Christianity seems out of tune, off key, out of time and out of sync with the theme of our salvation (which by the way is to love God and to love our neighbours), He calls us aside in love, unlike the devil who publicly tries to put us down.
With his Holy Spirit, he convicts us of sin, telling us where we've gone wrong and how we can get back on track. Constantly reminding us that his love and mercy are never ending.
Through his word, he encourages us, with such promises as 'If you serve me, I'll bless your food and drink and see to it that you don't fall ill' Exodus 23:25 (paraphrased) and 'Everything you'll ever need, I am more than able to make available to you' Philippians 4:19 (paraphrased) and 'The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure' 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT
Through other believers, he strengths us, as he makes them share with us their testimonies of victory, healing and deliverance.
He helps us by his Holy Spirit to work on our next 'performance' (as Shakespeare said, 'all the world's a stage'), so that when we are done, the accuser will have nothing to say against us and we will come out victorious and more than conquerors!
God is a fair Judge and an excellent Mentor who wants to make us the best we can ever be.
Shalom
Sarah Teibo is an author and public speaker. Her recent book 'Sex Interrupted' is Biblical, Compelling and Relevant. It has been referred to as the Alpha Course on Sex.
Sunday, 14 November 2010
Monday, 8 November 2010
Amazing Grace
One of my favourite words in the world is Grace!
This is the undeserved favour of God. It is a free gift from God, for which we gave (and can give) nothing in exchange. The great thing about gifts is that sometimes, we get gifts for people because we feel they deserve them. So, effectively, even though they are not paying for the gift, they are getting something nice in return for something nice they've done for us. God's gift however, is totally FREE and not because we've been nice or deserving.
We are saved when we accept this free gift of grace, as the Amplified Bible so aptly puts it 'For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.].' Ephesians 2 verses 8 to 9.
When I think abut this, it means, simply put, I don't deserve to be saved, delivered, healed or preserved...but I am. Wow! It's simply amazing to think that God has a store house filled with the gift of salvation and He gives it out freely to all, even though not all will accept it. All we have to give back to God, is our acceptance of His gift. This sounds somewhat paradoxical but it is the truth.
Why is it then, that I sometimes find myself wanting to work for this grace or to somehow pay God back for it? Sometimes, it feels like I have to do something to make God feel His favour has been given to someone who deserves it (me) and not the drug addict on the street, the serial killer in the news, the religious fanatics terrorising nations. Sometimes, I need to remind myself that I once was in the same place as these people - unrepentant and undeserving of grace. I have now been moved to a new place - repentant, saved and still undeserving of grace.
It seems innate in the human nature to want to give something in return or exchange for something we have received. As Christians, we need to constantly remind ourselves that we are who, where and what we are, only by the grace of God. Our prayer, Bible reading and other spiritual exercises do not save us or make us more deserving of God's grace, they help strengthen our relationship with God and build or faith in God.
He has saved us (from sin and its consequences) and continues to keep us, by His favour, mercy and grace which is undeserved and can never be repaid.
May we continue to bask in His amazing grace.
This is the undeserved favour of God. It is a free gift from God, for which we gave (and can give) nothing in exchange. The great thing about gifts is that sometimes, we get gifts for people because we feel they deserve them. So, effectively, even though they are not paying for the gift, they are getting something nice in return for something nice they've done for us. God's gift however, is totally FREE and not because we've been nice or deserving.
We are saved when we accept this free gift of grace, as the Amplified Bible so aptly puts it 'For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.].' Ephesians 2 verses 8 to 9.
When I think abut this, it means, simply put, I don't deserve to be saved, delivered, healed or preserved...but I am. Wow! It's simply amazing to think that God has a store house filled with the gift of salvation and He gives it out freely to all, even though not all will accept it. All we have to give back to God, is our acceptance of His gift. This sounds somewhat paradoxical but it is the truth.
Why is it then, that I sometimes find myself wanting to work for this grace or to somehow pay God back for it? Sometimes, it feels like I have to do something to make God feel His favour has been given to someone who deserves it (me) and not the drug addict on the street, the serial killer in the news, the religious fanatics terrorising nations. Sometimes, I need to remind myself that I once was in the same place as these people - unrepentant and undeserving of grace. I have now been moved to a new place - repentant, saved and still undeserving of grace.
It seems innate in the human nature to want to give something in return or exchange for something we have received. As Christians, we need to constantly remind ourselves that we are who, where and what we are, only by the grace of God. Our prayer, Bible reading and other spiritual exercises do not save us or make us more deserving of God's grace, they help strengthen our relationship with God and build or faith in God.
He has saved us (from sin and its consequences) and continues to keep us, by His favour, mercy and grace which is undeserved and can never be repaid.
May we continue to bask in His amazing grace.
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