Unfinished

Are there any projects in your life that remain unfinished, perhaps not even started yet?  Seven years ago I started to talk about repainting the master bedroom in my home … it’s not even started yet. Other things became priorities, the project was not made a priority so it’s still just a dream.  There are some things of much greater importance in my life that remain unfinished or in need of my attention. I fairly certain that the same could be said of each one of us.

In my Christian discipleship, I am an unfinished project. There are parts of my life that are mis-aligned with the will of God, things that I make fitful starts at correcting, but that are still unfinished business. I need to love others better, more consistently, without reserve. I need to serve without complaint more often, forgetting the cost while focusing on the privilege. I should forgive more readily and give pride no room in my life.  It is tempting, at times, to look back over my years and only remember those things that were left unfinished, the choices made that should have been different.

But, I know that if I am spending too much in regret or focusing only on ME I will not live as Christ desires TODAY.  Rigid self-discipline and beating myself up is NOT the way to Christian maturity and holiness that the Word teaches.  The paradox of the life of the Spirit is that greater things are accomplished, not because of my resolute will but because of His infinite power at work in me.

Note the call to the upward look in this passage.  "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." (Hebrews 12:1-3, NKJV)

Jesus Christ gives us grace, fills us with His Spirit, and calls us to finish well as we follow in His steps. He is the example, the captain, who leads us. And He has already perfectly accomplished the work of salvation for us. What an amazing thought. By faith, we are now completely right with God, assured of our eternal life, and in relationship with the God who made us to love Him.  Christ did for us what we could never do for ourselves "so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption." (1 Corinthians 1:29-30, NIV)

The grand story of the father of the faithful, Abraham, reminds that he did earn his place. God gave it to him. By faith he accepted God’s declaration and was made ‘righteous,’ that is to say, restored to his relationship with the Lord. Was Abraham perfect in his choices and behavior? If you think so, then you really don’t know the story. He made some awful choices at key moments in life, but God loved him and continued to lead him into life. 

None of this should be understood to say that our choices are without consequences, or that we should carelessly toss aside our failures.  We are called to work His grace into our lives, to appropriately respond with humble confession when we become aware of what we have done to offend God or others, but all the while our focus remains on the unfathomable grace of Jesus Christ. We grow on when he leads. The evidence of the Spirit’s life flourishes, like fruit on healthy tree - "he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23, NLT)   

So what is unfinished in your life? Are you looking only backward in regret or forward in anticipation? 

Trust the grace of God given us through Christ Jesus.  “Keep step with the Spirit” and one day, when time is called, you will enter into His Presence forever, with great joy, a beloved child of the Father, welcomed home.

Here is a word from the Word.  May this familiar passage own your mind today.  "I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14, NIV)  “Lead on, oh King Eternal!”

(Video of this blog at this link)

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Trust In God

 

Blessed assurance

Jesus is mine

He's been my fourth man in the fire

(reference to the fiery furnace story in the book of Daniel)

Time after time

Born of His Spirit

Washed in His blood

And what He did for me on Calvary

Is more than enough

 

I trust in God

My Savior

The One who will never fail

He will never fail

 

Perfect submission

All is at rest

I know the author of tomorrow

Has ordered my steps

So this is my story

And this is my song

I’m praising my risen King and Savior

All the day long

 

I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered

I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered

I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered

That’s why I trust Him

That’s why (I trust Him)

 

Brandon Lake | Chris Brown | Mitch Wong | Steven Furtick

© Brandon Lake Music; Music by Elevation Worship Publishing; A Wong Made Write Publishing; Integrity's Praise! Music

 

CCLI License # 810055