Acceptance Then Change
July 7, 2013 Leave a comment
“But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!” 2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP
| “Enough means an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose”
“Grace is mercy; God’s favor; loving-kindness” Last week at church, the message was about acceptance and change. It was based in the story about Zacchaeus, a corrupt tax collector who was so interested about Jesus that he climbed up a tree just to get a glimpse about Jesus and His preaching. Read the story here: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zacchaeus . To his surprise, Jesus called out his name and told him that He want to visit his house. Most of us will think that Zacchaeus effort attracted Jesus attention. Probably is, but the essence of the story is Jesus did not judge Zacchaeus by who he is. Jesus accepted him at face value without mentioning of repentance and change. Our relationship with Jesus normally starts like the “Zacchaeus experience”. We become curious about Him and we began to inquire and ask around who this Jesus is. Our curiosity leads us to the transformation of a new person which then leads us to our new hope and faith. Religion often times confuses us that we must do this prerequisite things before being accepted in the Kingdom of God. There is no requirement of change in the Kingdom of God. The only requirement is you must have an open heart to receive Him. His grace is more than enough to forgive us. Have you heard these words before “come as you are”. It’s like that in the Kingdom, come with your broken life, come with your sins, come with your addiction, come with your filthiness and corruption of the mind. My personal experience with this kind of change was so crystal clear. During the beginning of my journey in faith, my old self dominated my thoughts, my speech, my attitude, my feelings and my actions. I wanted to change because I know that going to church and reading the Bible does not mixed well with a worldly person. I want to get rid of my bad habits but the more I tried, the more I failed. I was using my own effort to transform myself. We don’t have enough will power to change our lives. You can at first but in the long run, you will end up in the same predicament no matter what without God’s transformation in us. Sometime ago, I encountered a Bible Study regarding God’s amazing grace, that it has the power to transform us. Imagine that it is raining outside and you wanted to get wet – soaking wet. Literally, you will stay out there in the rain for as long as you want to and let the pouring rain drench you for good. God’s grace is similar in some ways. Open your heart to heavens and start receiving God’s mercy. There’s plenty of supply. Do not change your life. Let God transform you from the inside out. It’s more meaningful that way. See it at YouVersion.com: |