The phrase ‘self-made’ has become a rather popular one in the
world that we live in today. It refers to people who grew perhaps from nothing
to become wealthy and famous. It could in a sense mean that such people don’t
necessarily owe their wealth and greatness to anyone, they are self-made. However,
in the kingdom of God, there are no self-made men. While we recognize the
effort and hard work people put in, to become great, we also acknowledge that no
man could have ever amounted to anything except the grace of God found him, and
except such person opened up his heart and life to that grace. The beautiful
thing is that God isn’t partial and we could all be grace made, but
unfortunately, not everyone fully understands this grace and not everyone is willing
to open up to it.
This grace has nothing to do with what you can do for yourself, it has only to do with what God through Jesus has done for you. You say but is it that simple? Yes, it is. Men who have risen to great heights through this grace will tell you that they had near to no contribution in determining certain conditions and circumstances that worked in their favour, other than their willingness and cooperation with this grace. You see, in the kingdom of God, we are all receivers of what God has done for us through Christ, but many people think there is got to be something more, it’s got to be harder than this, and this is the mentality that locks them out of receiving what that grace has made available.
We know that grace made salvation available (Eph 2:8), we know that grace made riches available (2Cor. 8:9), we know that grace made healing available (1 Pet. 2:24). What could you ever desire that the grace hasn’t already made available? You only need to receive. It may sound strange that people find it difficult just to receive the provisions of grace, but that is a fact. In Isaiah 1:19, the scripture says if ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: For quite a long time, I wondered if God really meant that the conditions upon which you shall eat the good of the land are your willingness and obedience. For me, I thought the only condition there should have been your obedience, because I did consider that everyone will be willing, hence, it shouldn’t even be a condition in the first place. But as a matter of fact, it is the first condition stated, you must be willing, then obedient. This means a lot, if you are obedient and not willing, you cannot eat the good of the land. Now, you wonder why this is so when anyone can become willing in two seconds, but that is exactly the same way people have refused to accept grace, but chosen rather to toil. It is on acceptance of the grace that you cease from your own labours and enter into God’s rest. You no longer then depend on what you can do, but on what has been done on your behalf.
You ask, does that mean I don’t have to work or do anything. No, it means you may have to work harder than you have always done, but acknowledging and accepting that grace will make the difference in the outcome of your labour. That grace will be there for you, to guide you and help you, that grace will position you in the place of favour and open to you doors that you could never open by your own effort. You may also ask what then the place of faith in all these is. Well, faith is a taker, it only takes what grace has already made available. Faith itself doesn’t make anything available, but with your faith you take what grace has made available for you. Grace wants to make you, will you let it? Accept it and turn yourself loose from your toiling.
N.B
For questions on this subject and other subjects, kindly use the Prayer request/Testimony pane. You can also send me an email or reach me by Phone on +2348081249992
Comments
Post a Comment