30
Nov '18
The “No Secret” Secret
30
Nov '18
For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (Romans 7:15)
A coworker confessed to me that he didn’t think he was “Jesus material.” I listened as he described what he called his “comfortable, narcissistic” life, and how it didn’t satisfy him. “But here’s my problem, I’ve been trying to be good, even caring, but it isn’t working. It seems that the very things I want to do, I can’t do, and the things I want to stop doing, I just keep doing.”
“What’s your secret?” he asked me in complete sincerity. “My secret,” I answered, “is that there is no secret. I’m as powerless to live up to God’s standards as you are, which is why we need Jesus.”
I pulled out a Bible and showed him “his” quote as the apostle Paul expressed it in Romans 7:15. Paul’s words of frustration often resonate with both pre-Christians and Christians who find themselves trying to be good enough to deserve God but falling short. Maybe it resonates with you. If so, Paul’s declaration that Christ is the author of our salvation and its resulting changes (7:25–8:2) should thrill you. Jesus has already done the work to free us from the very things that have us so puzzled with ourselves!
The barrier between us and God, the barrier of sin, has been removed without any work on our part. Salvation—and the changes made by the Holy Spirit in the process of our growth—is what God desires for all. He knocks on the door of our souls. Answer His knock today. It’s no secret that He’s the answer!
When I read this devotion I scrolled past it and chose a different devotion but God, He nudged my heart to go back. I don’t know who may need this today but I have to believe someone somewhere does and I pray it touches you in a miraculous way. Weather your the one in need of answers or your disciplining someone, don’t give up. He won’t stop knocking on the door of your soul, He won’t give up on you, He’s the answer. Without Jesus, salvation and spiritual growth are both gifts beyond our reach. It is no secret what God can do.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Luke 6:37