One thing that has been very difficult for me in every season of life is simplifying. I am wired to have a to do list and to get it done! I have been trained to have the mentality, that the more work you do the more successful you are. This is not a very healthy mindset for a believer.
What we have to remember is our best efforts are never enough. Our faith in Jesus is what makes us right with our Father. It is Jesus who did what we could never do: fulfill the law. I went through years of striving and surviving, always feeling that I could never measure up. This feeling was right as far as my ability, but the truth is I had been made right. 2 Corinthians 5:21 “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”
In family Bible study we have been in the New Testament reading of Paul’s missionary journeys and his letters to the churches. One of the themes that we see is a religious group that is trying to add to the road to salvation by works. This is a hard mindset to get out of in that salvation could really be a FREE gift. This is contrary to how we live in this life. Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
I know faith without works is dead according to James 3:17, but works should be a fruit of your faith in Jesus, not a way to earn right standing with Father God. God meets people right where they are, sin stained and without hope for lasting change. Once people decide to repent and put their faith in Jesus, then the blood of Jesus cleanses us of our unrighteousness. This is the simple gospel. As we follow Jesus then the journey of sanctification begins. This is a process that continues throughout our life as a Christian. Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
As long as you are looking at Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, you are a work in progress. So you may wonder how to follow or look at Jesus in every day life? Jesus is the Word (Bible) made flesh and dwelt among us according to John 1:1-3. So stay in the word and out of the influence of the world. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and bring revelation on the scriptures and how to be a doer of the word? Father wants our fellowship through prayer, which is our communication with our heavenly Father. As we grow in prayer and intimacy with our father, then the Holy Spirit will begin to bear fruit in us.
This is not something we can force or work hard enough to make happen. The fruit is produced is through a personal relationship with our father through faith in Jesus. Abiding in Jesus, the vine is our job. Take a look at John 15 and it gives a beautiful picture of how this works. In fact in Hebrews 4 :11 He tells us to labor to enter into His rest. It’s in rest that we are restored, something only Father God can do for us. This is an invitation for all believers in Jesus. This is a magnificent thing that those who have put their faith in Jesus are loved perfectly with an everlasting love that we did not earn or deserve! When we do start to see fruit come forth, we can’t think more highly of ourselves, but point back to Jesus. Even our gifts and callings come from God. In this hour it is important to get back to the basics and simplicity of our faith.
This is truly the greatest gift we can ever receive personally and the greatest gift we can share with another. Father wants to extend His heart and Holy Spirit through His children to bring as many as possible to faith in Jesus. As you look to Jesus and abide in Him, His light will draw others to himself. Thank you Father for the simple gospel and help us to get out of the way and let you have your way. To allow Jesus’ ministry to be spread through the earth. We ask for your kingdom to come and your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name we ask, amen.
