Grit and Grace

Do you ever need a good old fashioned exhortation regarding determination? You know, something that inspires you to show dogged determination in pursuit of purpose, a short course in stick-to-it-ness. The following is such. The Christians in Corinth were subjected to constant difficulty, deprivation, and even death. I have found inspiring insight from this depiction of their situation.

“We know sorrow, Yet our joy is inextinguishable.

We are handicapped on all sides: but we are never frustrated;

We are puzzled, but never in despair.

We are persecuted, but we never have to stand alone.

We are knocked down, but we are never knocked out!”

This is II Corinthians 6:10; 4:8, in the Phillips Translation 

Do each of those original couplets read like your autobiography? What is even more important is do each of those second couplets read like your responses?

To be a productive achiever grit and grace are a needed combo. Pray, God I will provide the grit and you provide the grace. The dictionary defines grit as “courage and resolve; strength of character.” Synonyms: Courage, bravery, backbone, spirit, strength of will, moral fiber, fortitude, toughness, hardiness, determination, tenacity, perseverance, endurance.

It is through God’s grace, we can have grit, and the more grit we show the more grace He provides. His grace always outworks our grit.

During your journey to greater success, you will encounter roadblocks, hardships, and challenges. Inevitably along the way we experience failure. Remember failure is not final. Pray to always fail forward.

You might get knocked down, but not out.

Serve the Lord and keep your eyes on the eternal prize. Rely on the Spirit, read Scripture daily for encouragement, and get alone with God and pray daily. You’re not alone.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.” Romans 15:4-5

God Has a Job to Finish on You

I saw a lapel button with these letters on it: PBPGINFWMY which stand for “Please Be Patient, God Is Not Finished With Me Yet.”

Jesus gathered His followers on a mountain side and shared with them transforming truths that He can use to continue the task of finishing us. Fortunately those truths have been overheard by the world. They are each noted here with a brief insight:

“Those who are poor in spirit,” those who are mentally humble, devoid of improper pride will be blessed.

“Those who are meek,” those who yield their possessions and self to God without greed will be blessed.

“Those who are merciful,” those who forgive, abandon bitterness and give love will be blessed.

“Those pure in heart,” those whose drives are controlled by God, and who remain morally pure will be blessed.

“Those who are peacemakers,” those who seek to make things right, and refrain from improperly condemning others, will be blessed.

“Those who spiritually hunger and thirst,” those who have a wholesome spiritual appetite, without inconsistencies will be blessed.

“Those who mourn,” that is those who are grieved by what grieves God, and avoid callousness, will be blessed.

“Those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,” those who stand with Him, free from compromise, will be blessed.

Post those on the walls of your memory, and daily measure His progress of finishing you by them. (Based on Matthew 5)

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”

It is the wise and faithful who regularly accept His invitation. He awaits our request for solving a physical or physical challenge.

When you have to take a challenge when the mandate is, “Thus, saith majority,” call on Him.

When exhausted by a physical task and seeing no solution, call on Him.

Don’t wait until the challenge is great. Stay in touch with Him so you can say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 

You can be sure He will work with you in doing all worthy things.

Got an alligator? Call on the gator wrestling Champion, Jesus Christ.

Three Games We Play

Growing up we played three games:

1. You are. 2. I wish. 3. I am.

As children we hear it all the time: you are slow or you are fast, you are dumb or you are smart, you are good looking or you are ugly, etc. Children begin to believe the descriptions they hear most, and their conduct shows it.

We progress with time to play “I wish.” “I wish I were as good looking as Kim.” “I wish I were as smart as Evan.” “I wish I were as rich as Francis.”

We are bound by these self imposed shackles.  

Only when we began to play the third game do we feel fulfilment, contentment, and peace of mind. Only when you accept the fact and play, “I am.” “I am the product of the creative hand of a loving God. I am the only me, an original. I am loved by Almighty God who wants a relationship with me. I accept His terms of identity by faith and trust His will over my life. I am the child of the all knowing, all wise, all loving God.

“I am the wonderful me He created me to be, and I am resolutely committed to becoming all He created me with the capacity to be.” Then, YOU WIN.

Happiness Is a Beautiful By-Product

Count Leo Tolstoy, one of the all time scholars of Russia, struggled in his search for happiness. Once while going through a very difficult time (sound familiar?) He went for a long walk in a deep forest. There he found an old peasant sitting on a log, eating a meager lunch of black bread. After sitting together for a while, Tolstoy said, “My friend I have been looking for a happy man, and I believe I have found him in you.” Then Tolstoy inquired further, “Where did you find such happiness.”

In an instant the old man became the tutor and the brilliant Tolstoy the pupil, as he mused: “Sir, I found it in the only place where you can find it in this troublesome world. I found it in God. You find God, Sir, and you will be alive and vital and happy.”

Try an instant replay: “alive, and vital, and happy.”

In the unconditional surrender of your life to Jesus Christ you will find unconditional happiness. Thereafter search the New Testament, and you will find the teachings that will enable you to grow in grace and knowledge. Be patient and persistent in doing so.

As an athlete playing basketball in Brazil an elderly missionary gave me a book in which she inscribed, “One can’t expect to amount to much for God who isn’t often, and long alone with Him.”

That is an often overlooked essential.

Judge Not

“Judge not” (Matthew 1:7) is the mandate of many seeking to vindicate themselves. Some interpret it as an appeal to Jesus to accept any lifestyle. It is often used by individuals who don’t understand the true meaning of this statement by Jesus Christ.

Christ’s initial statement about judgment cannot be ripped out of context to stand on its own. We must understand it considering His whole explanation, which includes recognition of others’ sins and their disposition.

In this same passage He gives instruction to discern people by the fruit of their life (Matthew 7: 15, 16). This necessitates discerning assessment, that is, sound judgment. 

Jesus commands unconditional love. He does not demand unconditional acceptance of all actions. However, it is often difficult for a person engaged in self-exoneration to comprehend being loved without their actions be approved.

The Greek word for “judge” is krino, means to condemn, avenge, damn, sentence, or levy a punishment. It does not mean not to discern.

In context proper evaluation of other’s conduct is essential so that a proper understanding is gained and justice is done.

We are to discern—judge—what is right or wrong, based on God’s standard as revealed in His Word.

Hebrews 5:14 exhorts believers to exercise good sense “…to discern both good and evil.”

An understanding of what Christ meant by not judging is gained by noting two instructions He gave in the same passage which require judgment.

“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine….” (Matthew 7:6)

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7: 15, 16)

Jesus commanded us to know ourselves and others by the fruit of their life, and some sort of assessment is necessary for that. The Christian is called to show unconditional love. But the Christian is not called to unconditional approval.

Both of these require discerning judgment.

For emphasis Christ repeats a significant teaching twice in this passage: “…by their fruits you will know them.”  (Verses 16 & 20).

In this same chapter Christ instructs individuals to judge themselves according to God’s word and not to rationalize or excuse their own sins. He uses a bit of Eastern humor by encouraging individuals to get the 2×4 out of their own eye before trying to get a speck out of the eye of another person. Honest self-judgment using God’s standards is constructive.