"Not by might"

I enjoy "The Apprentice." That's the NBC TV reality show where the bright, ambitious people do all kinds of tasks to prove to Donald Trump that they are worthy of becoming a part of his business organization. For each assignment the competing groups choose a team leader who is held responsible for the execution of the task- with the possibility of gaining accolades or scorn depending on performance. The show ends each week with the losing group 'in the board room' where they give account to Trump for the way they did the job. At the end of this inquisition, one person on the losing team, often the team leader, hears the signature line - "you're fired!" The atmosphere of the program is highly competitive, designed to determine each person's ability to assess situations and quickly create solutions. There is a need to cooperate but not because of love! It's truly every man for himself. Yes, for some weird reason, I enjoy watching it.

A lot of people approach life like the contestants on "The Apprentice" tackle their assignments. They scramble to win and work frantically- convinced that they have to do a great job to avoid God's condemnation when they are called into God's Board Room to face His questions about how they lived. They are driven by uncertainty questioning:
What will He see in us? How will He respond to what we've accomplished? Will He understand what we were trying to do? OR will He say, "You're fired?"

This picture is only partially right. All of us will give an account to God, that much is true! And... He is much more fearsome than Donald Trump! The big difference is GRACE. The scandalous truth is that the judgment is 'rigged!' Jesus Christ already settled the deal with God, so that everyone who trusts in Him can appear in Heaven's Board Room assured of hearing "You're accepted!"

Have you read the Magna Carta of grace recently? Take a look at excerpts from Ephesians 2:1-10 (NLT):

"Once you were dead, doomed forever because of your many sins. ...
All of us used to live that way, ...and we were under God’s anger just like everyone else.
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. ...
And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus. ... And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

When we forget God's grace, we become just like the contestants on "The Apprentice" -- anxious and fearful, competitive, ready to cut others down, willing to do anything to try to gain the edge. Apart from grace, real self-sacrificial love is impossible!

So, soak up the promise of the LORD'S acceptance in Christ today. Now, does that remove all responsibility for living a holy life, for doing His will, for giving your utmost for His highest? Not for a moment. BUT, your focus will be changed. Instead of seeing your inabilities and inadequacies (on which the Devil likes us to focus, by the way) you will reach for God's resources. You will not feel the alienation that comes from shame. Grace will draw you close to God where you will find all the power, all the skill, all the love you need to live in a way that is pleasing before Him.

Take this word from the Word with you today--
“This is God’s Message... ‘You can’t force these things. They only come about through my Spirit,’ says God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
‘So, big mountain, who do you think you are? ... you’re nothing but a molehill.
He’ll proceed to set the Cornerstone in place, accompanied by cheers: Yes! Yes! Do it!’ ” (Zechariah 4:6-7 The Message)