Christian Living

His Grace to Us Give to Others

by Thomas Kirkpatrick
02/11/22
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“I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake” (Philemon 1:6)

Most people want to be happy, although some take solace in their sadness. I have met people who seem happiest when they speak of sad occurrences. Those may be happy, but I do not believe they are. To those who want to be happy, there is plenty in this world to accommodate their desire. Happiness is fleeting and depends on the emotional reaction to circumstances. That is true of any happiness we have, but joy is everlasting because it is founded on eternal truth. Some days I am happy, and some days sad, but I find joy every day. My joy is established in the eternal promises of God, as His Word is true and endures forever. I could quote scripture, but history has proven my point.

I am always happy when I am joyful and have joy in my heart in times of sadness. I do not get caught in the rambling emotions of my life but rest on the foundation of joy in my heart. People can, or could, find happiness in the joy of God’s presence and find greater joy in His approval. There is a satisfaction in sharing the joy He has given to me with others that they may have His joy also.

I know we all have had days or evenings in the presence of someone who has a unique effect on our lives. I remember May Macbeth the first time I met her. I was pretty taken in by her and hated when the evening ended. It was at a sock hop, and I wore a hole in my sock. I hopped with her so much. On Sunday, I could not think of anything but the next time we could be together. I was happy in my heart, but when we met again, my heart was crushed. Mary had that other guy with her, and I didn’t know how to deal with that. We have all had people in our lives that we desire to be with, and it takes up our complete focus. Some work out for a lifetime, and some do not get to first base.

Some say that is life, or that’s the way it goes, and I cannot disagree. There is one known as “closer than a brother” I came to know later in life. He reached out His hand in an hour on my greatest need. It wasn’t a time of need for money or possessions of any sort. It was a time I was alone with several monkeys on my back and a brick wall next to my face. There was nowhere to go, a memento the pastor calls a Red Sea moment. It was a “Where Would I God but to the Lord,” but He came to me as I cried out in frustration. It was the darkest night of my life when I saw the greatest light, my Savior and Lord, Jesus.

Two essential truths of God are His mercy and grace. Mercy towards the guilty and grace toward the undeserving. Everyone sacrifices their time, talent, and treasure, but the sacrifice the Lord desires is a broken and contrite heart. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17) To whom Jesus calls He wants to give His grace through faith. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8) Jesus exhibits the grace of God and demands an answer from each He calls.

The problem for humanity is most are orphans in God’s creation. In the Garden of Eden, humanity separated itself from God and is no longer in harmony with His creation. Humanity is adrift in a sea without an accurate compass to find its way home. Jesus is that compass, as He is the way, the truth, and the life to be in the presence of God. (John 14:6) He is God and is present throughout all creation and knows the way through every trial and blessing. To abide in Jesus is the manifest wisdom of God, and without Him, we have a powerless fate. “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

The door to God’s throne of grace is Jesus. We cannot enter the throne as we are unrighteous (Matthew 5:48). Jesus is righteous and enters the Holies of Holies and offers our prayers. Jesus is the only way, and no one can be in the presence of God except through Jesus. “Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22)

It is not humanity alone that makes the world a difficult place to navigate, and we are deceived by the god of this world, Satan. We follow a narrow path to avoid the land mines Satan has placed in our way. Satan is only a wicked angel, and our Lord is a God who knows the way and has the power to make His will for us to come true. We cannot understand these things completely as God can, but we will know the way by His Word. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) Jesus will direct and order our steps on the narrow way to His Kingdom. The follower must trust and obey to remain in His presence, as we will be on that day. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8)

At most points in my life, I never sought my dad’s approval because of my selfish interest. My dad had thirty years more wisdom than me at any given time, yet I forsook it. Over the years, my dad tried to teach me has paid off even long after he went home to be with the Lord. I’ll thank my dad someday soon. I haven’t sought the approval of others for most of my life and paid the price of that, but it wasn’t more than I could bear. Right or wrong, I do not care much what people think of me, but I care for their spiritual welfare. The only approval I seek is from my Lord and Savior. “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)

I have shifted my focus from getting through this world or being accepted by the world to seeking the Kingdom of Heaven. Some years ago, my Elder brother said, “I’m working on a good finish.” As he, my focus is on the eternal rest in my Lord that awaits me. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) It is not that I don’t try to please people. I first try to please my God. Everything I do in this world is to bring Him glory and please Him, not that it earns me anything; I love Him first, as He loved me. “Just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4)

The gift of His presence and approval fills my heart with everlasting joy. Joy is an eternal feeling that only comes from a relationship with the Father. There is individual power of joy and peace that awaits when the work is completed. The power that made Jesus willing to sacrifice Himself on the cross for you and me. He went to the cross with the joy of His home set before Him. “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) His joy is the motivation that makes me willing to sacrifice all to do the good work He has prepared for me.

He has given His Spirit to counsel us along the way to understand and overcome the ways of the world. Sometimes it is hard to find a Christian believer, and it should not be that way. Followers of Jesus are to be like-minded with Him and in one accord. God has given them His love and should be expressed in all they do. Christians are led by His Spirit and display the fruits of His Spirit in their daily lives. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

The Lord has been gracious to us, He has shown His mercy towards us, and He has provided not only for us here but for all of eternity. We have this pearl of great wealth (Matthew 13:45-46), and we should share that with every ear that will hear. I cannot judge the possibilities of what God can do with a person's soul. Jesus gave the summation of the Law “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27). Sharing God’s Word is not a burdensome yoke to carry. It is just living the gospel message in our lives. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

All of creation lives in the presence of God the Creator. Acknowledging His presence in everything we do changes the outcome of our lives. It is the end game we should be most concerned about. When we live our lives in a way that pleases God and gains His approval, we find joy in our hearts stronger than any of the world’s troubles. I want everyone to have a relationship with Jesus, and I want everyone to have a home in His Kingdom. There is a joy in sharing God’s gift of salvation through faith in Jesus. It is a joy that gives personal satisfaction that you have helped lift someone up from the pit to a pedestal in God’s Kingdom. “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9)

Thomas N Kirkpatrick

First Baptist Church of Durant, July 8, 2021