The tendency of man is to create. This is what our Creator programmed into our DNA. It is being like Him. He created us in His image.
Unfortunately the enemy is sometimes successful in throwing his lies into our mind about how smart we are, and we forget where the source of our creativity flows from. We sometimes wind up in pride about what we can accomplish, and what we can make happen, and we begin to look at our works, and intelligence as the answer to all things.
The Lord has allowed this and used it, and it has served mankind well as far as advancement is concerned. Whereas Jesus walked every where He went, We drive cars to where we want to go, we fly airplanes to get there quickly, we have computers that are human like, and can serve our needs, etc.etc. – the list is indescribable. The problem mankind has with all of this is to think he did this himself. This is like the branch thinking it does not need the vine. It sees all the fruit coming through it, and from it, and forgets the true source.
So it is sometimes when it comes to understanding our relationship with God. Because we are so gifted, (by Him) and because we have become so dependent upon our mind, and we are so good at our work, we forget the true source. It is Christ Himself. It is His Word. It is His Grace. It is His finished work – not our on going work.
However, If the enemy can get us so involved in ‘work’, that is doing ‘good things’ that we think we should be doing, instead of spending sufficient one on one time in the Word in fellowship with Christ, and having a balance in our lives with our family, and friends and our secular work, he knows we will burn ourselves out, and we will become barren and dry even though we look fruitful and happy.
If that happens, and it can happen to any of us, we must be truthful with ourselves, confess that it has happened, and go straight to the source of our joy. We must go to the Lord. He of course knows it already, He was just waiting for us to realize it. The Word says:
“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves,it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2: 6-10)
It was His Grace that raised us up from spiritual death to the heavenly realms in Christ. It is His Grace that we must rely on, and place our faith in. Not our works. Not how much we do or do not do. His Grace. His absolute unmerited favor. His gift to us purchased through the blood of the sacrificial Lamb – Jesus. His Grace saves us from death – in this life, and the next.
This is the gift we are privileged to rejoice in every day as we awake. This is what brings us joy, purpose and peace This is what leads us to the Word each day to refill and refuel. It is His Grace that we see as we look in the mirror at His handiwork. Beautiful in every way. Saved to live the Abundant life in His love, created by Him to share that truth with those in our life.
“For it is by Grace that you have BEEN saved”, sweet children of God. Not going to be. It is a done deal. How sweet it is.
You are greatly blessed, God’s Beloveds. May You know and enjoy the Divine Love you walk in as you walk in Grace with Christ Jesus.
Poppa B.