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faith · 01/22/2015

Spiritual Maturity & Grace

Before you start reading this post, you should know that this is a Gospel preaching-rant to myself. But, I figured maybe someone can relate and/or find some light, strength, or rest in it, so I share…..

“Though it seems to me, that in some respects I was a far better Christian, for two or three years after my first conversion, than I am now; and lived in a more constant delight and pleasure: yet of late years, I have had a more full and constant sense of the absolute sovereignty of God, and a delight in that sovereignty; and have had more of a sense of the glory of Christ, as a mediator, as revealed in the Gospel.” Jonathan Edwards

I’ve been listening, reading, and learning a lot about grace lately. Drinking in all kinds of perspectives and scripture, thoughts and reflections. I then am often challenged to think about the standard to which I hold myself. Last year I would’ve said perfection, today I say grace. I glance at how much I have changed since I first became serious about knowing Jesus, and there has been gratitude at every turn.

The circle of grace. When anyone makes Jesus their Lord they step inside the circle of grace and remain there for eternity. Grace — complete, powerful, saving, redeeming — is the same for the day-old Christian as it is for the 60-year Christian. No less for mistakes or sin, no more for accomplishments and righteous acts.

“The mark of a Christian is his affections and desires, not his momentary lapses. Not that he does well, but that he knows the pit out of which he was dug, and knows where to go for cleansing when he falls back into it.”

Maybe maturity is ever-growing dependence upon the person and work of Christ, not even “how far I’ve come.” I think I’ve slowly developed this idea in my head that…

my Bible being marked up on every page shows that I love God’s word.

when friends come to me with struggles or sin, having the “right” words to encourage and counsel them, challenging them on what they should do means I’m being used by God to disciple, that I know my stuff.

putting up a strong, peaceful, positive front means I’m trusting God.

when I tell people I’m praying for them I’m being active in my own communication with God.

No, no, no. False.

+ Knowing His Words in my heart of hearts reveal a love for the Bible.

+ When people (sinners just like me!) come with a struggle or sin or issue, I point them to Jesus and Jesus only. If they cry, I cry with them; if they want to research, I research with them; if they rejoice, I rejoice with them. The Holy Spirit works, changes, matures, reveals. My life’s instances, my own learnings, could be used by God sometimes, but my responsibility is not to fix someone’s problems for them, or tell them what to do, but to love them and seek Jesus alongside them. 

+ Always putting up that front doesn’t point someone to Jesus, in my experience I feel like it makes me unapproachable. It paralyzes me into believing that for the world to see I have an active relationship with Him my attitude must always be good, hopeful, peaceful. False. Embracing my humanness, revealing the mess underneath (doubt, fear, pride), yet continually pointing to Jesus. Maybe this is what it means to be a light in this world. I’m no better than the next person, but I know Jesus. And I want to share him with the world.

Yes, I suck sometimes. But Jesus. Yes, I’m prideful, doubtful. But Jesus. Yes, I made a huge mistake. But Jesus.

+ Carving out unhurried time, in my living room at 5:30 in the morning, or in my heart while I work, for prayer is being active in communication with Him, not simply telling people I’m praying for them. Yes, that can be super uplifting and helpful to someone’s soul to know that I am, but it hardly means anything if I don’t actually do it.

Grace gives me eyes to see myself in light of who Christ is, to humble myself before Him. To move my heart from a list of moral action to sitting at His feet, desiring others to sit with me. Grace is preaching the Gospel to myself. Grace is being able to fail and make mistakes, God still getting glory. And to be quite honest, I think Grace is sanity!

Two steps forward and then a fall? Get back up, and praise the Lord for those two steps.

In: faith · Tagged: grace

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Comments

  1. Lisa B says

    01/23/2015 at 3:02 am

    Grace = sanity… I love it and have never thought of it quite like that! I constantly try to remind myself that I need to give MYSELF more grace, and not just reserve it for others. I love everything about this post <3

  2. Chelsea B.E. says

    01/23/2015 at 7:14 pm

    Yes! You and me both sister. Grace all around. :)

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I'm Chelsea... a wife, mom and friend who enjoys all things peanut butter, clean beauty, the written word, and a good sports movie. This is my place to share real life and Biblical encouragement to draw us all to deeper joy in God. Pull up your favorite internet browser and stay awhile!

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praise God from whom all breezy, sunny Sabbath day praise God from whom all breezy, sunny Sabbath days flow
Trying to make this a Saturday tradition. Trying to make this a Saturday tradition.
This morning, to my tired self, John said, “Your This morning, to my tired self, John said, “Your personality has a toddler.” 😄 Motherhood might be the art of resting [in God] when you can’t fully stop, or recharging in the slivers on the day when you’d rather have hours. Yes? Grace.
loving today — and excited for the day Anna join loving today — and excited for the day Anna joins us in conversations about life and Jesus and friends and clothes and school
Shamelessly using Operation Lose Pacifier as an ex Shamelessly using Operation Lose Pacifier as an excuse for an extra caffeinated treat (with @journeywomenpodcast + @jtenglish in the background)
windows down, @crowder or @travisgreenetv or @kari windows down, @crowder or @travisgreenetv or @karijobe, volume high, release all that is in you and receive all that is in Jesus
Where my soul is these days, creating for Instagra Where my soul is these days, creating for Instagram feels like choosing a Slim Jim over a homemade chicken pot pie. 😬

For the foreseeable future, I want to spend more time crafting and creating in other places more than I do words for Instagram posts. 

Here I’ll share moments. On my blog I’ll share heart. 

✨ To easily keep up with new blog posts, click the link in my bio to opt-in and have them delivered weekly to your inbox. ✨
church clothes church clothes
walkin’ walkin’
Do I love the just-me-and-God life or do I love wh Do I love the just-me-and-God life or do I love what others see and think about my faith? 

Do I wake up excited about the reality I get to do everything today WITH JESUS, and offer Him to those around me, or about building my own kingdom, 
about proving myself awesome, 
about indulging my every whim, or 
about fearing what is out of my control?
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fleshing it out on my blog today 😬

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