What Good Thing Must I Do?

Matthew 19:16, someone came to Jesus with this question: "Teacher, what good things must I do to have eternal life?" NLT

There is so much more to being a Christian than being righteous. In no way am I diminishing the work that Christ did while on the earth on our behalf. Even the writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 6: 1 - 3, Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. NKJV

Paul teaches us in the book of Romans that the Just shall live by faith. It's not enough for us to be saved by faith, but we are required by our heavenly Father to live this new life by faith. Faith comes from hearing, but hearing comes from the Word of God. (My Version) In Hebrews 11: 6, we read that without faith, it is impossible to please God. So we must also "walk" by faith and not just be "saved" by faith. What does this mean for you as a child of God? 

Jesus asks those who are weary and heavy laden to come to Him And learn of Him, because He is meek and lowly of heart... as we do as He asks, we will find rest for our souls. Most Christians understand that no one is saved by their own works, but through faith in the work of Christ. But have you given much thought to: "Now that I'm a Christian, how do I go about living this Christian life?" If it was possible to live the Christian life in our own strength, then why would we be given the Holy Spirit and God's grace? As Christians, we can grow very tired of always living right in this fallen world. This is why I'm writing this devotion to you today. Jesus doesn't want us to grow tired while doing well, because we will reap in due season... if we do not faint along the way.

How many believers do you know personally that have grown cold in their relationship with the Lord? If you were to ask them why, most would probably tell you that they just grew tired. In the same way that we were saved by faith, we must also learn how to live by faith. Now that we are born again, without faith or trust in the Lord, there can be no grace extended. What is grace? It is described in 2 Corinthians 12 as God's strength when we become weak from the trials in this life on earth. If we refuse to trust the Lord in the trials of life, then we will grow weak without God's grace to carry us through them. In this story, Paul was obedient, but his obedience was met with persecution, affliction, and heartache. At that point in his walk, Paul didn't need righteousness, but he did need God's grace to come on His life.

Here is how grace came on Paul's life to help him endure the trials of being obedient in world that is filled with rebellion. Instead of Paul telling God, "I quit because of the afflictions I am suffering as a result of living righteous," Paul chose to trust in the Lord and continued walking with God. Once he chose to continue by faith, the grace of God came on his heart and his attitude changed immediately. He tells us, in chapter 12 that after God extended him grace, he rejoices in his afflictions and in persecution. The reason he was rejoicing, instead of complaining was because the power of Christ had come upon his heart to endure in God's strength and not in his own strength. God will give grace to the humble, but He will resist the proud. It might not look like you can make it in the natural, but just remember this; you're not alone, because God is with you. Scoot over and let God take the weight off of your shoulders and carry it for you to the finish line!

God's Grace Is Sufficient,
Pastor Asa