article by site founder, Connie Rice
Having a grateful heart helps us keep the trials of this earthly life in perspective. God’s gift of salvation through Jesus tops the list of things to be thankful for, so that leads us into celebrating His birth as He entered into human history to pay the price for the sins of us all, knowing we were incapable of saving ourselves. We are dead in our sins before a holy God, but turning from our sins and believing in Jesus for salvation gives us new life and eternity with Him in heaven. As if that wasn’t enough, He gifts us with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to help us understand the Bible, obey the Lord’s commands, love others, and have meaning and purpose throughout our lives. He also makes it possible for us to know God and develop a relationship with Him. This truly is a joyous season, no matter what challenges we may currently be going through. Paul explains this better than I ever could in Romans 8:
“Do do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:
‘For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.‘
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
So many people think they have tried Christianity and subsequently walked away, but perhaps they have never fully surrendered their lives to Jesus – there are areas they hold on to or closets they won’t open. Perhaps they don’t understand that true wisdom and understanding only comes from God:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
Proverbs 9:10
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!”
Jesus’ words in Luke 12:4-5
Nothing is hidden from the Lord, so it’s really ourselves that we deceive if we think we can live out of our own wisdom and have no fear of the One who knows everything. The more we know the Lord, the more we realize the amazing love, mercy, grace, and patience He freely offers to those who love, trust, and obey Him. There are two books that are very helpful in understanding how important this topic is (I finished the first one as part of a Bible study group and our group is just beginning the second one): “The Awe of God: The Astounding Way a Healthy Fear of God Transforms Your Life” by John Bevere and “The Power of Knowing God” by Tony Evans.
Are you ready to experience God in a deeper way and discover the life Jesus created you to live? It is not easy as Jesus told us that we would be persecuted and face tribulation. We face spiritual attacks and temptations as well as other challenges, but we can be victorious through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus has also overcome the world and so equips us with all we need. Following Christ is the greatest adventure we could ever have, giving us purpose, providing excitement, personal growth, and a future filled with hope. Could it be time to believe God and step out in faith to do things His way? The more we know the Lord, the more meaningful Thanksgiving and Christmas become to us and we find ourselves rejoicing even when our circumstances are difficult. The more we know God, the more we find ourselves rejoicing the rest of the year as well.
© Constance Rice 2024
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