Back to the Beginning

As of late, my heart is burdened for us believers. Those who profess to be believers and followers of Jesus Christ, yet don’t really know Him. I suppose my burdened reflects the heart of the Creator Who longs to be known by His Creation. But He also predicted this lack of devotion when He said that many would think they did good in His name yet He’d respond, “Depart from me, I never knew you” (Matthew 7:22-23). Though God intended us to live closely with Him as Adam had; sin entered the chat, causing separation between us and Him. However, Redemption was His plan all along. And despite the lack of pursuit from His people; in His grace, God sends us little reminders which reveal the good Shepherd after His sheep. 

The Lord constantly points us back to The Gospel, which our salvation is founded on. The humble reminder that, we were a wicked, selfish, ratchet people, far from God. We needed a Savior to reconcile us back to our Creator, because we could not do it in our own strength. His Son, Jesus lived the perfect life yet died a criminal’s death for our sins, therefor satisfying the debt we owed. By living, dying and rising; He defeated all that kept us distanced from God. By placing our faith in Him, we received the free gift of grace, Eternal life and so much more! Our faith + His grace leads us to a glorious place. 

The problem is, when the excitement of our salvation wears off; it’s easy for us to become too common with God. As if He isn’t a God Whose goodness has no end. We’ve placed trust in Him for salvation but not for our everyday lives. We admit that He is good enough to be our Savior from Eternal death. Then we proceed to limit His access as Lord over every detail of our lives. If He can save us from eternal damnation, surely He can handle every circumstance in between birth and Eternity. But this confidence derives from knowing Jesus Christ. Not just attaining salvation -which is the bare minimum. Communion and friendship with God isn’t reserved for heaven but also now. As a matter of fact, it’s what He desires and deserves.

It is through His Word in which the very heart of God is revealed and the more we know of Adoni, the more we are drawn to Him. As we draw near to God, He draws near to us (James 4:8). It isn’t rule keeping, legalistic robots that the Lord is after. Jesus is after those aware of the brokenness residing in us all and as a result, trust and seek Him, vulnerably. Who else would we place our trust in? Certainly not self. Been there, done that, would not recommend, 1-star. 

Rather, we can heed to the wisdom found in Proverbs 3:5-7a (The Passion Translation), which advises us: 

5 Trust in the Lord completely,

and do not rely on your own opinions.

With all your heart rely on him to guide you,

and he will lead you in every decision you make.

6 Become intimate with him in whatever you do,

and he will lead you wherever you go. 

7 Don’t think for a moment that you know it all, 

for wisdom comes when you adore him with undivided devotion…”

God reveals so much fullness of life that stems from trusting Him, relying on the righteousness of Christ and surrendering our limited human perspectives to Him. Our genuine transformation stems from the overflow of our devotion with Him; not human striving. Those good decisions we long to make, are born from a place of God-relience. Our awareness of His strength and our weakness, ushers us into a space of wisdom that we could never attain apart from God. 

Everything about the Gospel, our salvation and life thereafter; points us back to reliance on Jesus. In a world that glorifies strength and independency; our advancement is found in the exact opposite. And that is because dependence on God requires relationship with God. Without Him, we are hopeless. Without the truth of His Word, we are deceived. But in Him, we find a treasure worth giving up everything for. Sis, this world and the things of it are fleeting but our Savior is the only thing solid. When everything around us seem to fall apart, will you be found standing on the Firm Foundation? Let’s make the daily decision to go back to the place where grace + salvation were received. That is faith. And may your trust in Jesus the Christ, lead you to a place of intimacy with the One Who’s most worthy of it!

Make it Personal:

What are some truths that you know about God through His Word and your personal experiences of Him?

Sit with God and ask Him to reveal anything that is distracting you from knowing Him on a deeper level.

Why do you think it’s easy to rely on self, others or circumstances more than the All-Knowing God?

Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord completely,

and do not rely on your own opinions.” 

How does this speak to you and how can you begin to incorporate it your life.

Let’s Pray:

Father God, the fact that You created the entire universe, reveals Your infinite wisdom. The fact that You sent Your only Son as a ransom for me, reveals Your great love. As broken as we are, You still long to be in communion with your creation.Yet, at times I neglect the trust and devotion that You deserve. Please for give me and help me to seek You with all my heart. Ignite a fire inside of me that longs for You above all else. May my delight be found in You, alone. Remove all that keeps me distant from You as I give You full access to my heart and my life. Everyday, I want to go back to the simplicity of The Gospel; I am saved by grace when I placed my faith in Jesus Christ. Let faith bring a lifetime of friendship and intimacy between You and I. Open the eyes of my heart, that I may see You today and forevermore. In the magnificent name of Jesus, amen.