Faith...Action and Grace

[Pilgrim]

As believers in Yahushua Messiah, we know in our hearts that He died and rose on the third day, fulfilling every Promise and cleansing the world of Sin.

"For YHWH so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."-John 3:16

Salvation is a free Gift. Receiving this Gift, however, demands dedicating their whole Life to Him, YHWH Almighty. Distress often comes for many of us, feelings of condemnation. Why? It is not that there is no Trust in His Grace...surely I choose Him. Surely I have felt Him in my heart. It is sometimes difficult to hear Him, and for that I blame only my own shortcomings. My own stubborn way. Yahushua is the Way, and this is a continuing lesson in TRUST.

Frequently I find myself being tempted into fear of condemnation for not doing enough. For what reasons do I follow Him? I know that we do not need to "feel" justified, as our own best are dirty rags.

"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."-Isaiah 64:6

All the while, like many, many of us, the LAST thing we ever want to hear from Him is "I have never known you". Have I confessed that Yahushua is Messiah enough with my mouth? Surely I have not NEARLY enough. I am still working on this with my very wife! Have I given enough to the poor? I do this, but like anything- not nearly enough. 

Our works are not what saves us....how much is "too" few in displaying the works that come as a result of faith? I believe my point is coming through.

"And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."- Mark 9:24

[Sinclair]

That is the human condition, i think. At least if we care to wrestle with these things at all. You have to come to a moment when you realise that it is never enough. We just simply can't do enough. Grace is the only bridge in that gap. But it's hard not to worry. I don't know if i know a great way to stop that from happening from time to time other than talking to Him. He already knows what the stress is about. Just having these concerns might not be the worst of signs, though. If we didn't have Him would we even be able to care? A lot of self professed Christians go through life seeming pretty confident but also looking kind of dead. 

Lately i've had a "love affair" with sentiments in this song i'm posting. Then maybe He pointed out..i could be trying to be a bit more present and useful. :u)