With all the emotional waves of the temporal world today, it’s easy to forget who we are, what we’ve got, and how we are operating by grace in God’s economy. Paul offers us AMAZING contrasts to give clarity…

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God…” (Romans 8:1, 15-16)

Did you notice the contrast?  I’m Christ Jesus, you are uncondemnable, but instead led by the Spirit as God’s child. The Spirit of God never condemns a believer for sin, but is convincing us by His love and trustworthiness of who we are as God’s reborn new creation in Christ. He’s not making you feel worse so you will try harder, but making you feel loved, despite our stumbling, so you will trust Him more.

God as your Father redeems you not first and foremost for His work, but for His Family. We need never fear nor doubt the leading and care of God. He is never cracking a whip of slavery, but always – ALWAYS – inspiring us to freedom in our identity in Christ who we increasingly follow as He leads with our whole heart, and thereby walk in fullness. He is not outside you trying to get you to the “right place” because you are already in Christ and a new creation by grace through faith. Instead, He leads from within you, leading you by spiritual direction, to increasingly walk according to the truth and sufficiency and power and hope already ours in Jesus.

Carpe Charis, friends. Embrace grace. Be available to God’s leading, and enjoy all He does in and through you as you enjoy divine Life together.

ridiculously graced…
-mike.