REPOSITIONED FOR NEW EFFECTIVENESS

From the newly converted to the aged theologian, there is a blind side to our Christian walk.  It needs immediate correction.

We have grown indifferent to the powerful word grace.  Guys like me tend to make it come across as anemic, meaningless, and churchy.  Yet, it is clearly noted in Scripture as the power of God.  We need to know the power of God.

I direct you to three mighty verses of power through His profound, meaningful, holy perspective.

• And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed (II Cor. 9:8)
• My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness (II Cor. 12:9).
• But He gives greater grace.  Therefore it says, God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble (Jas. 4:6).

Grace is power through giving.  Grace is power through weakness.  And, grace is power through humility.

It is important that we note something of great force in each of these three.  Yet, these lead us down a corridor no one wants.  They make us nothing more than vulnerable.

Vulnerability is the last thing on our wish list.  There are many things we do not want. To be found inadequate and helpless is of utmost dread.  Long-time members faithful in attendance and service find knees buckle when opportunities leave us profoundly susceptible.  

Giving calls the flesh to be guarded as to just how we will manage.  Weakness is the sheer opposite of respectable and influential.  Humility, it seems, isn't so bad as long as I come out looking good.

Truthfully, vulnerability is a major tenet of grace.  It is either His doing (not ours) or else it won't happen.  When life pops it is always caused by Him; never us.  

If we want to reposition ourselves for engagement in the glorious workings of Father, we will necessarily need to make adjustments in the zones where we build to give off the impression we are invincible.  When we met Jesus, we met him in the grave.  We are dead to ourselves.  Our invincibility days are over.

Praise be to God.  How freeing it is to grasp such life-affording truth.  When we surrender concepts that we once believed essential to appearing strong and in control, a new world opens for immediate and effective engagement.