Believing Is Receiving

Romans 8:32 NLT says, “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?”

I don’t want you to forget today how all-in God is for your freedom. We have the story backward if we think that faith is about us finding God and begging him for a chance to belong in his kingdom.

This mentality says more about our sinful nature and the oppression we buy into than any message of the scriptures.

If we could peel back the filter of shame and worthlessness that we buy into and read Romans 8 for what it really says, our jaw would drop to the floor. Did God really just say that?

I remember one of my friends shared how he was struggling with his faith during a prayer gathering. He talked to us about how he felt a heaviness and a burden regarding his inability to live up to some standard of the Christian faith he had in mind. Eventually, someone caught on to the truth and proclaimed the truth of Romans 8—there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!

For whatever reason, it is so tempting to perform to impress God. We think we need to put on a show, demonstrate our devotion, and submit a report of our faithful service. Yet this is not how we get the label “in Christ Jesus.” We can only receive this gift of grace.

In the kingdom of God, believing is receiving. Do you want to receive the grace and freedom that comes from God? Do you want to gain everything in God’s kingdom? You have to believe.

Believe that God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness are for you.

Believe that Christ’s blood covers your sin.

Believe that God has invited you to become his child.

In believing, we receive the grace to become worthy of his name. What a tremendous gift it is to be called a child of God!

So often, we crowd ourselves out of grace by trying to get everything put together ourselves first. There is no way to attain the perfection that God desires without his power working in us. So would you set aside striving and accept the gift of God? Choose the path of humility and surrender that says, “I can’t do this with you, Dad!” That is the place of accelerated growth.

Even when you fall down, call on God to help you. You might fall 1,000 times, but scripture already tells us in Psalms 34:19 NLT that The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.”

So what are you afraid of? Put your hope in Lord and let him sustain you today.