Edification part 1
There's this idea out there in the "religious" world of "greasy grace." Can you believe that? People actually believe that grace is a "get out of hell free card." They believe that because of God's grace you can do any old thing you want and just skip out on the consequences. Well, here's the deal, you CAN do any old thing you want... BUT actions DO have consequences. Look at our key memory verse for this Rant series: "You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is good for you. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is beneficial" (1 Corinthians 10:23 NLT). And I want to quote it in the King James Version too, because it gets us to the defiinition I want to use. "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not." That's what we're talking about--edification. And according to Strong's Greek Concordance, "Edify" is number 3618 and it means, "to be a house builder, that is, construct or (figuratively) confirm: - build, edify, embolden." And, to me, that is seen most clearly in Matthew 17:5 (NLT), "But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him."" The love and affirmation--the edification--of a Father will always equip and empower a Son. When you know your heavenly Father loves you and is well pleased with you, that makes you WANT to do the things He wants you to do. It's such a different mindset from "I have to do this or I'll get into trouble." "I want to" is so much more powerful than "I have to." One comes from the inside, from the heart (doing things heartily, to the best of our ability and because it is in our heart to do them), and one comes from the outside. Trying to avoid punishment simply means you shouldn't be doing that thing in the first place. If your goal is to avoid punishment... you need a new goal. Truly. And, like I've said many times, God is not in the punishing business in any event. He is not out to get you. On the cross... He got you. What He wants to do is even take it a step further and not only NOT punish you, but save you from the negative consequences to your actions! Guys. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. Self-control is a manifestation of love. Because when you are controlling yourself, you are loving yourself. You aren't doing things that will bring a negative result into your life. You aren't trading what you want most for what you want now, if I can say it that way. It's important to understand that you CAN do what you want. But that's because of freedom. Not grace. Grace is the unmerited favor of God. How do they say it? "Mercy is NOT getting what you deserve, and grace is getting what you DON'T deserve." Because deserve has nothing to do with it. Because God doesn't judge accordin to what you do. He judges according to who you are, and who He is. A Father who loves His Son. That's why He lavishes gifts upon us. That's why He always tries to put us in a position to succeed. And that's why He gave us everything He has and everything He is--so we can experience it and enjoy it. He did it because He wants us to have everything He has and everything He is. Experience it... by giving it away. So while you CAN do whatever you want, when you understand that it is God's heart beating with love in your chest, you will only WANT to love!