Monday, February 17, 2014

Keep Moving

If we can keep moving, we can get to a better place. This morning as I was thinking about how life changes, it occurred to me that as believers we have both good days and days of struggle. Overall, though, if we keep moving, keep praying and seeking God, things tend to get better.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, told them that they became a part of the commonwealth of Israel by the cross. He makes an interesting comment about the scriptures and commandments to them. He says that when they were not a part of the commonwealth, they were “strangers to the covenants of promise” which refers to the promises God has made in the Old Testament. There truly are many blessings that were to come to those that kept the commandments of God. But now Jesus makes us a part of that through His death and resurrection. And Paul made another statement that was profound.

Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Paul says that our future with God came to us by grace, and not by works. At the same time, he is telling us that we should do the good things of God and not walk in our former ways. How do we reconcile these two perspectives? First, our salvation is a gift. We did nothing other than repent and seek forgiveness. Then we are to live our lives doing good. We will not make it all the time, but Jesus died for those sins too. When we find ourselves in sin, we need to repent and turn back to God. He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins. He will also help us get farther and farther down the road.

We just need to keep moving.

Prayer
Father, we exalt You as the Most High God. Thank You for Your forgiveness. Thank You for helping us find Your ways. thank You for helping us find victory. Please send us the grace we need today to make good choices. Please send us Your healing, deliverance, and provision that we need for today, Father. In Jesus’ (Yeshua’s) name. Amen.