Embrace the Within no. 190

“Then what becomes of [our] boasting? It is excluded [entirely ruled out, banished]. On what principle? On [the principle of good] works? No, but on the principle of faith. For we maintain that an individual is justified by faith distinctly apart from works of the Law [the observance of which has nothing to do with justification, that is, being declared free of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not also the God of Gentiles [who were not given the Law]? Yes, of Gentiles also, since indeed it is one [and the same] God who will justify the circumcised by faith [which began with Abraham] and the uncircumcised through [their newly acquired] faith.

Do we then nullify the Law by this faith [making the Law of no effect, overthrowing it]? Certainly not! On the contrary, we confirm and establish and uphold the Law [since it convicts us all of sin, pointing to the need for salvation]” (Romans 3:27-31).

Faith is action. Good works are actions too. Faith is needed for salvation and sanctification. Good works are not necessary for salvation and sanctification BUT that doesn’t mean they won’t exist. Just because good works are not going to provide salvation, this does not mean that we are not to do good works. And I think that seems to be quite confusing for some folks. Standing on faith is scriptural BUT faith is an action that requires my daily work.

The problem Paul is confronting when he is speaking of good works is merely legalism or ritualism. Folks showing up on the weekends and doing some Christian aerobics and chanting as a way to get good with God. And God didn’t create us to work out our spirit once a week. God created us to have a relationship. And relationships take daily work. Relationships take action on our part and not ritual.

So, instead of showing up on the weekends and doing your Christian aerobics and chanting, spend some time each day with Him? Take some time to get into His Word and get to know Him. I know, it isn’t as socially gratifying spending some alone time with Him when you could be in a building with a bunch of other people that just got done doing Christian aerobics and chanting while you sip some coffee and have some pastry as you carry around your pristine copy of The Bible. BUT it is probably a better investment of your time to crack that Bible open and get it a little creased. It is probably a better investment to not be part of that spectacle and work on your relationship. It is probably a better investment to find some alone time in study and prayer.

Grace and Shalom to your home.

I love you. I forgive you. Have a blessed and abundant day!

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoKingButChrist #EmbraceTheWithin #NotMyWayYHWH

Embrace the Within no. 189

“Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Simple BUT never easy. That is one of my ongoing motto these days. The Word is always simple BUT rarely easy. A lot of the complications come from me making it complicated. I mean there are plenty of things I can blame for making life more complicated BUT ultimately I choose to make life complicated. I choose to adapt to this world a lot more than I should. I choose to be a lot more comfortable than I need. I choose to be a lot more settled than I should. And comfortability leads to a rut and then things get really easy. Then I get settled in my sin and evil and I give it all the power to conquer me.

And that is one reason I started with a routine that sets me up for success daily. Every morning I pour a glass of water. Every morning I take my supplements. Every morning I physically work out. Every morning I spiritually work out by reading The Word and praying. Every morning I mentally work out when I sit here and tap out some thoughts about what I have been reading. Daily routine of goodness to lay the foundation of success.

It wasn’t always like this. I used to wake up to coffee and nicotine. I used to wake up feeling worn down and turned out. I used to wake up already defeated. And those days were a battle to be successful. Setting the tone in the morning has been a crucial part of changing for the better. And I feel that a lot of us don’t give ourselves a fighting chance. I can get so caught up in making myself a physical, mental, and spiritual mess just because a lot of people are a mess too. And misery does love its company. If you don’t believe that, then look at how many folks gather for a fight or to complain and how few are gathered in prayer.

BUT, courage is choosing to change. I need to make a daily decision to work out my faith by choosing to be faithful. I need to daily choose where my faith remains. And I make those choices by my actions. I may not be able to control every thought that forms in my brain, however, I can choose how I act on those thoughts. I am my choices. And I need to choose goodness and righteousness and grace and mercy and peace. My life should be an example of all the fruits of the Ruach HaKodesh, “'. . . love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23 AMP).

I pray that I choose goodness daily. I pray that I set a routine that leads me to be successful in denying myself, taking up His cross, and following obediently. I pray that I make better choices in my actions so that those actions portray the reflection of His Way. I pray that my daily decisions make me a better Ambassador of His Kingdom.

Grace and Shalom to your home.

I love you. I forgive you. Have a blessed and abundant day!

#ThinkBetter #BeBetter #NoKingButChrist #EmbraceTheWithin #NotMyWayYHWH