Grace Is Real

Permit me to dwell on something that I'm sure we all struggle with from time to time. In-fact regardless of whether or not you permit me, I'm gonna talk, fairly bluntly about an area that seems to find a way to nag away at me, and I'm sure so many others.

I've purposely titled this piece 'Grace Is Real' because I do firmly believe that Grace is real, and not a myth. 

I've spent a lot of time during the past few months reading 'Right Believing', by Joseph Prince, as well as watching Creflo Dollar sermons on Grace on my Ipad.

In a nutshell what I've learnt during the past few months is nothing short of amazing; that Jesus Christ has already completed - 'It is Finished' all the works necessary for our salvation, health, victory over addictions, bad habits, victory over sin, etc etc.

Furthermore the fact that we are 'In Christ Jesus' means that when God looks at you and I He doesn't see our imperfections, failings, or mistakes, but sees His Son Jesus Christ - because we are 'In Christ Jesus'. 

Imagine that for a second. 

Every time God looks at you He sees His son Jesus Christ, whom He absolutely adores. Is there any better or more powerful way of been assured of God's love for you???

Truly Truly Awesome!!!

I can't emphasise enough how much of a huge difference this has made in my life. I've finally accepted that it is not I that will overcome, but that Jesus has already overcome; not by my power or will, but by His power and will. 

But here's my question.

I'm just going to put this out there - using some fairly common examples. 

Everyone has a flaw / vice of some kind; something he or she gives in to from time to time that they aren't too happy about; for instance binge eating, gossiping, cigarette smoking, unforgiveness, selfishness, anger, covetousness, lust,  fornication, masturbation, greed, jealousy, envy, slandering, arrogance, pride, manipulation of others for selfish motives, etc etc.

I may have missed yours out (and don't tell me you don't have one), but whichever one yours is, it is quite likely that most of the time you're okay but every now and again you have a little dabble. 

My question is - why hasn't Grace completely overcome it? 

In my case, in the past, will-power would only work for a certain amount of time. Indeed the very fact that I was trying to overcome with my own will-power meant that my mind was permanently focused on not giving in to the flesh; which of-course meant that a slip of some sort was always inevitable. As you know, the more you focus on something the more likely you are to do it.

Since learning more about Grace I've finally let go of trying to use my own will-power; meaning that I don't focus so much on areas of weakness, and am therefore a lot more free, and so much happier. 

But I can't help wondering why I still give in to the flesh every now and then.

Am I not entrenched enough in Grace?

Or should we simply accept that every now and again we will fall prey to our weakness / vice?

The King’s Mother

A heavy silence – a potent concoction of the depths of evil and the inevitability of what is about to take place – the reality of what needs to be done to save mankind.

Hope will be restored, sickness cured, love given life, and the sting of death removed forever.

But at what cost?

“There’s no escaping this mother. It must be done.”

“But why you? Why my son??? Haven’t you done enough?!!”

“Mother..”

” Is this some kind of sick joke??? What did I do to deserve this? To watch my son be put to death?!!”

He smiles at her.

His is a gentle smile of affection, understanding, and such compassion.

But there is more to this particular smile; more meaning – as though there is far more to His impending ordeal than just being put to death.

The undercurrents of the smile do not go unnoticed.

“What….what is it? There’s more isn’t there?!! There’s more to this than you’re telling me.

What….what exactly are they about to do to you?”

“Mother….I…I’m not sure you want to hear this.”

“Tell me…tell me now,” she says, as a well of emotion seizes her entire body – floods of tears streaming out of her tender eyes.

Jesus looks at his mother – intently this time.

He now sees something in her that he hasn’t noticed before – a strength of mind and purpose.

When the time comes she will be a source of strength.

Better to tell her everything now, so as to strengthen her resolve for what is to come.

“Mother, you are most blessed among all women. For you are the mother of the Son of the living God.

But you are about to see things that will push you to the very depths of despair.

“See what my son? See what?”

“I shall be whipped in public – over 600 lashes. I will be ridiculed, abused, laughed at, spat at, and beaten, even as I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders.”

“Wh…what do you mean the weight of the world?”

“Remember mother…I came so that you will have life.

I must die for all the sins of the world, so that mankind is reconciled to my father – He who sent me.

I must do His will.

They will torture me – physically, mentally, and emotionally.

They will make me carry a heavy plank of wood for many miles – beating and abusing me along the way.

Then they will crucify me on a wooden cross and leave me there until my last breath.”

“No son..,no..you don’t have to do this.

Why not flee now?

Flee so that you can escape this evil!!

I will find you.

Go!

Go my son!”

“I can’t mother.

I must do my father’s will.

It is why I am here.

It is the only way.”

His reply does not surprise her.

She knows her son.

A man of dignity and honour.

A man that always does exactly as He says he will.

A man who has always known His destiny and purpose, and never for one second shied away from it.

Silence reigns, as Mary allows all that is to come to fully sink in.

The tears begin to subside – gradually replaced by a renewed strength and vigour.

She knows her son will not run from His mission.

She also knows that when the time comes she will have to be strong – for His sake.

She will be with Him every step of the way.

Thank you Mother.

“For what?”

“For being you.”

His mother has finally accepted His fate, and will be a source of strength in His time of need.

“Get up! Get up King of kings!

Or do you want me to bow to you first???” mocks the soldier.

He had fallen to the ground again – His strength waning.

Skin parched by the scorching heat of the sun – a vicious thirst obstructing his breathing.

As he lay on the floor, the plank still weighing heavily on His shoulders, sand in His eyes and mouth, ridicule and abuse all around Him, He sees His mother.

Despite being in the midst of chaos, as those around her hurl insult after insult at her son, she is a vision of calm and surety.

No more tears

She finally understands what her son is doing for the sake of mankind – even those that are presently leading Him to His death.

His eyes remain fixed on hers – as though drawing strength from them.

Though the final stage of His journey to Golgotha will be no less painful, He is strengthened in the knowledge of His mother’s presence.

Yes, of course His real strength comes from His father in heaven. But His mother is also playing her part – by His side in this momentous hour.

As the sun goes down only a few remain – Mother, son, and a lone soldier.

Despite the fact his comrades have long gone, this soldier remains.

He relents in his inquisitive gaze at the man on the cross – eventually kneeling down before Him as it dawns on him that this is no ordinary man.

As he kneels down he observes the woman on his left. The one he now knows to be the mother of the Son of God – his eyes pleading for her forgiveness.

“What have we done?!! What have we done?!!” he mutters to himself.

Mary looks at him and smiles – a smile of love and forgiveness.

Although he has played his own devilish role in the brutal murder of her son, she is not angry.

She is thankful that he and his comrades have played their part in what must surely have been ordained a long long time ago.