More Personal Works = More Blessings from God

05 December

“Quench Not the Spirit Which Quickens the Inner Man,” Ensign, Nov. 2007, 38; “Do you wish to know the price to be paid for the privileges that are offered after we have received the Holy Ghost? The price is not a predetermined or fixed amount; rather, it is determined by each of us individually.

“If you set your payment, which is your personal effort, very low, you may not be able to avail yourself of all the Spirit has to offer. You may even quench the Spirit! However, if you set your personal contribution high, you will reap an abundant harvest from the Spirit. The payment I reference is, of course, not money; rather, it is a greater commitment to and involvement in personal spiritual endeavors and behaviors.” – Keith Hilbig

Galatians 3:13-15; “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.”

He (Jesus) hung on that tree, not you, not me, but Jesus! You as a human don’t hold the power to annul His work and God’s plan. You can refuse it, but you can’t annul His power. Don’t let anyone tell you that His grace is dependent upon your personal worth.

Each and every day that I wake up I still can’t believe He saved me. As of this writing (Nov. 2012) it’s been nineteen years. The One who is without sin will stand before God to petition my case and when God sees this He isn’t looking at my sin, but at the account already paid on my behalf – Romans 3:24-25.

The text says I am justified, freely justified. I’m not justified because I worked enough because I’d never work enough to fulfill the requirement. It’s a gift God gave to me because He loves me.  Jesus who didn’t sin took upon Himself every sin I’ve committed or will commit in my life. It’s absolutely breathtaking!

We can know with certainty Jesus will be there for us in front of God just as He is here on earth when we rely upon His Spirit to comfort and guide us.

In the days of sacrifices in the temple God told the priests to offer their sacrifices each day – Ex.29:38  Now because Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law He will still be that offering for us at the end – 1 Peter 2:23-25.

Just as Isaiah predicted God would provide a Messiah for us (Isaiah 53:6-7) and John the Baptist even remarked “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), we can be assured He is the One all of humanity waited upon.

And let us not forget the promise Jesus gave to us in John’s gospel! John 14:16-17 says that Jesus told His disciples He’d send the Holy Spirit to guide us and He’d always be there for us. How could this be if my works were dependent upon His companionship? I have to tell you, days like yesterday weren’t so great for me and if I had to rely upon myself to gain strength for His Spirit to be my strength…oh never mind – it just doesn’t make sense.

With Love in Christ;

Michelle

1 Cor 1:18

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