Thursday, October 15, 2020

Abounding Grace: Passionate devotion


But as you abound in everything—in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love to us—see that you abound in this grace also. 2 Corinthians 8:7 MEV

You do well and excel in every respect—in unstoppable faith, in powerful preaching, in revelation knowledge, in your passionate devotion, and in sharing the love we have shown to you. So make sure that you also excel in grace-filled generosity. 2 Corinthians 8:7 TPT


  We've been in an extended study examining the amazing Grace of God. Specifically, we're looking at how His Grace abounds to all areas of our Christian life bringing fullness, fulfillment, and empowerment. So far we've seen how this Grace abounds to our Faith, our words, and our knowledge of who God is. 

 Today, it seems good to continue this study, looking at how this Grace abounds to our personal devotion to God. So often different ministries and churches declare that Radical Grace, eternal security, leads to a license to sin, a motivation to do wrong. I strongly disagree. God's Grace is the motivation for devotion to God. 

 Understand what Grace is. Grace is the unearned, undeserved, and unmerited favor of God. When received it produces and empowerment in our life. Grace isn't empowerment. Grace is unearned favor. Don't get confused as to what Grace is versus what it does. 

 When we define Grace as empowerment, we shift back into a works mindset. We still have demands, pressure, and obligations placed on our lives but Grace gives us the strength to fulfill these obligations. That is not Grace. 

 Think of this. Are your children your obligation? The word obligation is defined as duty, chore, a burden. There isn't necessarily a joy in being indebted to someone. So again is your children or your spouse an obligation? 

 I hope you don't see them as a chore. I hope you don't see family as a burden. Certainly, as adults, there is a level of responsibility we commit to. Yet, that is not at the forefront of our thinking when we love, truly love our family. Why do you find children caring for aging and sickly parents? Is it an obligation? In dysfunctional homes perhaps, but in healthy homes, I've seen the compassion from each of its members spring forth. 

 My point is, the compassion each family member brings forth isn't obligatory. It isn't trying to earn acceptance and more favor. It's rooted in a place of love and kindness shared among each member. 

 When we receive the Love of the Father, knowing how He sees us, how He's made us accepted and approved, devotion, passionate devotion is the natural response. Grace abounds toward us and our devotion to Him grows more and more.

 When we think of His unfailing Love toward us, when we reflect on His all the time Goodness to us, when we see His great Grace overshadow all of our flaws, failures, and foul-ups, What else can we do but devote ourselves more and more to such a loving Father. His Goodness, His Grace, His Love, is the motivation for devotion. He is so so Good!

 God's unwavering faithfulness toward us reminds us of how much we need Him. His faithfulness abounding to us brings to our remembrance that if it had not been for the Lord where would we be? He is even faithful when we are faithless. This faithfulness produces such a thankful heart, a joyous heart, and a heart of gladness because God is our everlasting Father who is well pleased with us.

 This abounding Grace empowers our devotion. We are eager to become a blessing to those around us. We are enthusiastic to help advance Jesus' name and His kingdom all throughout this Earth. All because we've seen and known His goodness, faithfulness, and Love abounding toward us.

 In summation, this Grace is so great. It abounds in all areas of our life. It empowers our Faith, our words, and knowledge of God. It produces an enthusiastic, energetic, empowered connection with our Daddy God. He is so Good!


Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

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