Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Most exceptional athletes trust in what their coach instructs them to do. They discipline their lives accordingly, because they believe their coach knows what is best for them to achieve their goal.
Their life is consumed with following the instructions of their coach as closely as possible, to be the best they can be. In this same way, we are to discipline our lives following the instructions of our coach, Jesus Christ.
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. (John 8:31-32, NLT)
Belief requires action; action equals obedience to Christ teachings, which leads to a life that reflects growth to become more like Christ.
“If nothing changes, nothing changes.”
Pastor Mark uses this phrase quite often and how true it is. If we don’t take action to change our lifestyle, nothing will change. We will continue down a self-centered path, never truly living a life of joy and happiness, free from guilt and condemnation.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Belief requires action. If we don’t truly believe, we won’t submit to Christ’s authority and we will continue to trust in our own ability. Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. (James 2:21-22, NLT) Satan will lie to us and tell us that our sins are too many for God to forgive us and wipe our slate clean. Just one sin leads to death.
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. (Romans 3:23, NLT) God’s love is so deep and His grace is so wide, that He sent Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins so we could be called His children. There is nothing we can do to earn eternal life, but it is faith in action that compels us to believe that Jesus’ sacrifice covered our sins, past, present and future.
We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. (Romans 3:22, NLT) Don’t let Satan lie to you and tell you that your sins are too many or too great. The more you listen to Satan’s lies the harder your heart will become and it will be more difficult to accept God’s love.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): When we truly believe, we will receive His love and His free gift of grace. When we accept God’s grace, we will be released from the guilt and condemnation of our past sins. We are truly free to live life when we believe that Jesus paid it all. When we act upon this truth, we will be filled with the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live a supernatural life.
I don’t know about you, but I choose adventure and living dangerously for Christ instead of self-pity and fear. Each day a new life changing experience awaits us, but we must surrender our will to live for Him. Belief requires action; start living miracle to miracle today.
Cultivating (Additional Reading): 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; John 14:15-21
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