Now this is not a blog about me complaining about NOT seeing His favor. In a way, the topic feels self-focused from the get-go.
On the one hand, it is clear all believers ALREADY have His favor! If the scriptures can be trusted, we have much to lean on in the long-term 'favor' department. We have been: restored to Him in direct relationship individually AND in the community that He set up for our growth: the Church. the Saints. Availing ourselves IN authentic, grace-based community is a wise choice as it IS where we find help and solidify HOPE.
The kind of hope that believers have..., is not 'hope' that the world exercises. No, our hope is one that is based in a deep 'knowing' that what has been promised WILL come to pass. The scriptures are trustworthy. What Jesus said and promised IS true and WILL come to pass. The FAVOR of God..., is bound up in the One who saved our souls. Abundant life..., is more 'grasp' of Jesus as He called Himself: the LIFE.
Back to the 'Favor' of God.
It is not to be understood as an earthly parent would show kindnesses or benefit for something earned or a job or performance done to their satisfaction. Father is not arbitrary and has no 'favorites' as an earthly father or mother might secretly or not-so-secretly have..., NO, He is 'Dad'..., and an 'Abba'..., like NO dad here on earth.
No, Father has shown, does show, and WILL show..., His kindness and provision as we simply learn not to define ourselves by our performance or our works..., OR our 'needs'. He knows before we even ask, what our needs are and I believe He 'delights' in meeting them!
The gospel of Grace is that we are ACCEPTED, deeply LOVED and actually CHAMPIONED by our Father once we become His children. The longer we dwell in unmerited favor..., the more we are inclined to convey His acceptance, favor and Grace to others. There is no performance..., on our part that can add to or change our complete and utter acceptance found IN CHRIST.
So we are favored. Father would be unjust to punish His beloved and also punish Christ for our sin and failures. We are not sinners because we sin. We SIN.., because we ARE sinners. Grace covers a multitude of sins! Grace trains (see Titus 2). Both justification (salvation initially and throughout our lives! - SOZO!) AND sanctification (right standing or righteousness) are AND must be.., GIFTS from Father. We 'open' the gift of sanctification and justification BY FAITH. Faith that He has done all that is necessary and needs NOTHING from man in the 'works' that Jesus did.
When He yelled 'koolah' ( FINISHED )..., so much more was gained by mankind in that statement! And God got what He wanted: US. Both are net gainers in the New Covenant and Father is 'pleased' with us!
There is no performance that can garner higher 'favor' or higher 'pleasure' in God. Hebrews 10 declares: '..ONCE and for All'. Oh that the church would accept that we are not to be sin conscious and we ARE to be Christ-centered and Christ-focused. Father is NOT looking at your sin..., IF you are a believer.
I've been told, and I do believe, that Father is interested in everything..., even the little things, that we need and sometimes even simply 'want'. I know some of His daughters..., who appear to get what they ask for..., and He obliges sometimes like that..., simply to increase our understanding of His immense generosity.
He is NO longer angry since Christ. He chooses to remember our sin no more, according to the word. AND..., since He IS Love (and Love PERFECT)..., PERFECT LOVE.., casts out sin. Which is exactly how He views us in Christ. SINLESS!
I John 4:17: "... for as He IS..., so ARE WE in this world." - If Jesus is sinless..., then that is HOW He sees us. Justified AND Sanctified. Our STANDING..., is secure.
Our STATUS? Now that often is another matter and I submit is directly connected to the Mind, Will and Emotions..., otherwise known as our SOUL and the pursuits our souls drive us towards! STANDING before Father.., is complete AND secure. "Nothing shall pluck them out of My hand."
I find myself..., in my heart, physical and emotional(soul) needs..., asking for His favor. Lord knows my needs are massive and quite heavy on my heart and soul. Just a glimpse sometimes..., is all we need to grasp that Father has not, CAN NOT, abandon His children and recently, His generosity came through a very dear friend of mine on a trip that I could not have accomplished otherwise! Father is SO good.
But then I came home. Finances are snapped to the point of bankruptcy. Emotions connected to very important relationships are tested to the limit. Sounding self-focused talk now..., OTHERS (even believers...) don't seem to have much care or interest in even hearing the issues..., much less providing needs / balm for enduring.
I take nothing for granted. My particular church, as an entity, has been adept at the limited capability they have, and I'm humbled and grateful. But I'm talking about the PERSON needs. The 'two-are-better-than-one' needs. The man who said that was Solomon. The wisest man ever on the planet and it was NOT in the context of marriage. It was the brotherhood/sisterhood that he was speaking.
We've heard lately in church that the Triune has been 'in community' with one-another for EVER. They put community as a priority for their 'image-bearers'. I see growth in community but prophetically..., it MUST..., and WILL be in greater need as we see the world waxing worse and worse.
WE 'shine brighter' as the world clearly gets worse-and-worse. WE..., have an opportunity to ACTUALLY discover, sometimes at great 'cost', what it means to serve others in our community AND the world as they see the 'love we have for one another'. LOVE..., gives. The good Samaritan story is about just that....
Father knows my heart, emotional and physical actual needs. It is not wrong to 'ask-and-keep-asking' as it is clear in scriptures, we do well to maintain that closeness of intimacy with Him.
Intimacy undergirds IDENTITY.
IDENTITY is ALL that matters. The emotional, heart and physical needs will be met. He is a good Father with only GOOD and perfect gifts for His children. We are not orphans having to DO..., for ourselves. Jesus declared: "Apart from me..., you can do NO THING." I'm learning that is so very true.
Father knows YOUR heart, emotional and physical needs. Be bold before His throne AND the community He placed you in. I'm not always successful in the following scripture. But that doesn't mean I can't encourage myself..., AND you..., to REST in Father's Love and enjoy the Intimacy he paid so dearly for...
Philippians 4: 6 & 7 - "Be anxious (care-filled) for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
2 comments:
It's a Scripture I listened to Kenneth E. Hagin teach on last night. A very beautiful Scripture. Many are called, but few are chosen to go through the cauldron of the Refiner's Fire. It is not easy. A well written, and admirable blog post Friend. When no one else seems to care - Father does!
It is very hard to endure somethings we go through in life, but as a child of God he takes these broken vessels and the fragrance that is released is His son's broken body for us. A love so unfathonable I personably cannot understand it, yet takes this sinners void and fills it to over flowing with grace and thankfulness.
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