"In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus."~ Romans 6:11
Jesus set his face like flint towards Jerusalem, and we know too well what awaited him there.
Paul said to the Corinthians that whilst he was with them, he "resolved to nothing, save Christ, and Christ crucified ".
In grace we find strength. but it is almost as though resolve is itself a means of grace. I am drawn again to the greatest command. That we love the Lord our God with all our hearts minds, souls and with all our might.
That takes some bloody minded resolve, does it not?
We are reminded, by Jesus, that anyone who puts his or her hand to the Plough, and looks back, is not worthy.
We're told that the martyrs in Revelation overcame the Devil, partly because they did not love their lives so much as to shrink back from death.
You cannot have this kind of steel in your soul apart from the grace of God. But you cannot have it without your own will either.
Joshua does not say to the people. "Be drawn this day into whichever path you were predestined to be drawn to". That would be ridiculous. He says "Choose this day who you will serve". Our resolve, combined with Gods grace and power is a truly awe inspiring thing, and it brings God glory.
Anyone who seeks to save their lives, lose them. But those that lay down their lives, for Jesus sake, find them. In abundance.
Jesus set his face like flint towards Jerusalem, and we know too well what awaited him there.
Paul said to the Corinthians that whilst he was with them, he "resolved to nothing, save Christ, and Christ crucified ".
In grace we find strength. but it is almost as though resolve is itself a means of grace. I am drawn again to the greatest command. That we love the Lord our God with all our hearts minds, souls and with all our might.
That takes some bloody minded resolve, does it not?
We are reminded, by Jesus, that anyone who puts his or her hand to the Plough, and looks back, is not worthy.
We're told that the martyrs in Revelation overcame the Devil, partly because they did not love their lives so much as to shrink back from death.
You cannot have this kind of steel in your soul apart from the grace of God. But you cannot have it without your own will either.
Joshua does not say to the people. "Be drawn this day into whichever path you were predestined to be drawn to". That would be ridiculous. He says "Choose this day who you will serve". Our resolve, combined with Gods grace and power is a truly awe inspiring thing, and it brings God glory.
- What is our Jerusalem, to which we must set our faces, steely eyed and flint-faced?
- What do we love so much that we shrink back from suffering?
Anyone who seeks to save their lives, lose them. But those that lay down their lives, for Jesus sake, find them. In abundance.
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