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The past two weeks I have been reading and meditating on the book of Galatians. One of the main messages of this short book, written by the apostle Paul, is how grace came to do what the law could not. Jesus is the fulfillment of the law, and now through faith in Christ's death and resurrection, we die to the law to live in the freedom of Christ.
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What an amazing gift Jesus is to us!
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As Christians, we hear a lot about dying but also living. Paul talks about how he would be fine with dying to be reunited with Jesus, who he walked with in human form. He knew what lies ahead is better than this strange world we find ourselves sojourning through. Paul also knew that to live is Christ, because he was given a purpose to love and serve others the way Jesus taught him to do. He experienced dying to his old sinful ways to walk in the good plans of God, even as that required great sacrifice and suffering at times.
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In one of my thrifting trips this week for my vintage business, I ran into an older woman who has been reading my book on grace with a younger woman each week. She was telling me about their discussion on the gift of hope and how she struggles with that at times. She expressed feeling guilty for looking forward to what lies ahead as if she is missing the here and now. I think this is a common tension of our faith. Paul felt it and acknowledges it in Galatians and Romans. Humanly, we have to take care of ourselves and our families. We know there are good works to accomplish and people needing to hear the good news of Christ. Yet, we are told to look forward in faith with eternal perspectives. Hope is what gives us the courage to persevere until that day.
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I've also heard a preacher once say he hated the phrase, "So heavenly-minded that we are no earthly good." He asserted that we aren't capable of reaching a perfected eternal mindset in these earthly frames. Rather, being heavenly-minded leads us to do earthly good as we consider what is at stake to those still lost in their sins. God has set eternity in our hearts (Eccl. 3:11), so our longing for more is right and good. Living as our eternity has already begun is a way to rest in the timing of God. Good things can be experienced in this life for those who know Christ. We can live in contentment, walking in the light of Christ with minds grounded in the future promises of God.
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What do you think? Can you be both heavenly minded and earthly good? What are practical ways to live in those truths?
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Whether we live or die, in Christ, it is all gain. While we are dying to our flesh, we are living in the fullness of Christ. While we are walking, we keep moving until our faith is made sight, just like Elijah who 'was no more'. What a beautiful picture of our journey of faith!
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One final word of encouragement: Paul had a radical transformation from murderer to apostle. He died to self and rose to walk in the newness of life. When believers saw Paul, they had no doubt that God had done a miraculous work in his life. Galatians 1:24 says that the change in Paul led people to glorify God. There was a harvest of fruit evident in how he viewed the purpose of his life and the reality of death. And his testimony brought glory to the Father.
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Isn't that the aim of all of our lives as followers of Christ? How can we be faithfully living, dying to self, and looking forward to future hope while giving glory to God for all of it?
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I hope you can think on these things this week and maybe even have a face to face conversation with another person of faith about these thoughts this week. Let's be people who challenge one another to grow up into stronger faith and service for Christ.
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Free Resource for New Subscribers!
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If you missed it, here is the link to the free resource, Embracing Grace, that compliments the contents of my newest book, Grace: Reflections of a Heart Set on God!
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I hope this little study of the doctrine of grace is an encouragement to you as you spend time thinking more deeply on the infinite kindness of God toward us.
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Here is the link to my newest book, a devotional on the ways God reveals His grace to us. If you feel led, I would appreciate any shares or Amazon reviews from those who find it helpful!
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A God-Sized Dream
One of my devotions has been included in this Thomas Nelson publication in conjunction with Proverbs 31 ministries. My piece is for the empty-nest mom, struggling to trust God with their grown children's lives. How can we relinquish our need to control to live with clear minds and peaceful hearts in this tricky stage of life?
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While I don't receive financial gains from being a part of this devotional, I am honored to have been chosen to be included in a book that is meant to encourage others to rest in the faithfulness of God when they are tempted to worry and doubt. If someone is struggling to find the promised peace of Christ in their daily lives, I am thankful to be a small voice in offering hope through sharing my story. I know God is more concerned about that than filling my pocketbook or building my writing platform. He is the giver of all good things, and I am thankful for this opportunity.
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Thanks for reading. See you soon!
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