Jul
26
2008
26
2008
The Riches of His Grace
Filed under: Following Jesus
In my blog meanderings I came across this wonderful, thought provoking quote about the Holy Spirit at the blog “Of First Importance“.
So often I fall into this same trap…forgetting about the intense love Jesus feels for me and focusing only on my short-comings and how I have disappointed Him. I want to focus on the “riches of His grace”, and pass on this same grace to everyone I come in contact with. I long to have that “childlike confidence in Him”…trusting in Him fully for all of my needs. Thanks to Samantha at She Dabbles for the link!
“Perhaps much of our slow progress in the walk of faith is to be traced to our overlooking the love of the Spirit.
We do not deal with Him, for strength and advancement, as one who really loves us, and longs to bless us, and delights to help our infirmities (Rom 8:26). We regard Him as cold, or distant, or austere; we do not trust Him for His grace, nor realize how much He is in earnest in His dealings with us.
More childlike confidence in Him and in His love would help us on mightily. Let us not grieve Him, nor vex Him, nor quench Him by our untrustfulness, by disbelieving or doubting the riches of His grace, the abundance of His loving-kindness.”
—Horatius Bonar, “The Holy Spirit”
Posted by Sara @ 12:01 am | Leave a Comment
26
2008
Thank you so much for this Sara! I was just looking around on mdc and suddenly felt the need to check your blog, and I’m so glad I did! I need to be more open to the love that Jesus has for me, and to receive that love as He gives it.
Melanie
26
2008
if you want a treat…here is a free audiobook until the end of July from Brother Lawrence that talks about the same thing
http://www.christianaudio.com/free_download.php
26
2008
I had the same problem…likely due to being in severely legalistic churches for so many years and failing to read the Scripture for myself— minus the spin placed on it by the church leadership.
That severe teachings puts the emphasis on what we do (versus who we “be”) instead of the finished work of Christ on the cross.
The seed is planted that we must measure up to please God. And of course we can never measure up, so we are always falling short, struggling with that and the accompanying pride, and that hinders the Holy Spirit’s work. Pridefulness puts us in the position to be stiff armed by God per James: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
When we, knowing that we are loved, sin, confess and know we are forgiven, yet continue to feel miserable—think of ourselves as a failure–it is a form of pride I believe. It says “not me”–”I’m better than that”. And I think it says Christ failed too.
I find it easy now to say “yep–I sinned”–”I’ve got feet of clay”…not in a flip way as if it doesn’t matter…but in a way that doesn’t need to prove I’m worthy. Because I’m not worthy…Christ is the worthy one and as long as I struggle for the preminent position by proving that I measure up to Him, I take away from Him.
27
2008
*When we, knowing that we are loved, sin, confess and know we are forgiven, yet continue to feel miserable—think of ourselves as a failure–it is a form of pride I believe. It says “not me”–”I’m better than that”. And I think it says Christ failed too.*
Thanks for that post Sara…and Dinah, thanks for that little blurb too!
29
2008
Isn’t that a great site?! It’s one of my favorites when I check my bloglines. Thanks for the link love too- I’m starting to get addicted to my blog stats. Hee hee.
4
2008
Off topic here. I thought you would be encouraged that vegetarian life has made a splash over at Today’s Christian Woman magazine. (Check out my post on Green Inventions for the link. Maybe things are really changing! : )
22
2008
Thank You~*
5
2008
It’s great to meet another Christian who loves our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ. What a great site you have !!! There’s so much, I’ll have to come back time after time and probably through the Millenium !!!
youtube.com/goldieshome