The Continual Work of Grace

The grace that saved you is the grace you must rely on in order to live a victorious life of discipleship. Boot-strap Christianity leads to futility and frustration. Trying to impress others with your spirituality is just as defeating. We must abide in Him--do all things through the dependence on the Spirit's indwelling. The Word--the Spirit's Sword--is the cleansing agent in our relationship with Him. Not just reading it--though we must saturate ourselves with its teachings and beauty--but obeying it. Obedience is always the "loving thing to do." He abides in us that He might live through us. He lives through us by transforming us into His likeness as we like Him desire to always do what pleases the Father. And when we find ourselves living like Him no one is more surprised than we are. We have a sense of His presence as He speaks through us, loves through us, encourages through us, and knowing ourselves the way we do, we are amazed at His transformative grace. "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken unto you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full."