I had a recent conversation with a fellow saint that I wanted to share with you all.
Question:
“Hi Saint James,
I am having difficulty seeing the finished work in terms of letting His grace flow through me while I serve. Could you please tell me which sermon I can listen to to have more revelation. Much appreciated. ”
Answer:
Thanks for your question. Which sermon? Probably any one will do. Serving the Lord is all about resting in Him so that He can live through us and continue His service to the Father. In Galatians 2:20 Paul writes that it is not us but Christ that lives through us. That is a common thread in all my messages.
Read again the passage in the gospels where Martha is busily serving but Mary is seemingly not serving. Read again what Jesus said about that scene. Mary was resting in His presence.
We no longer serve God after the letter of the law, but rather we serve God after the newness of the Spirit, Romans 7 tells us. Love compels us to serve and it is no burden.
Do you doubt that God’s way of grace as revealed in the finished work of Christ will produce true service? If so, doubt no more. He knows what He is doing. Resting in Him will release His power in us to serve Him. We will produce “fruit that remains” if we serve Him through His strength. Do you believe this? As Paul said, “I labored more than them all (referring to the other apostles), yet not I, but the grace of God in me labored.”
Do you see it?
James
Response:
Hi James,
Thanks for your reply. Yes, i doubt but praise Jesus, by His grace, he is starting to make me believe. i feel like the guy that said yes i believe oh help me in my unbelief. By His grace, when i started to worry or fear, i meditate on that He is my very present help in time of need… whom shall i fear? And i started to feel better. May this seed grow into a tree that cant be plucked out! Also resting when hearing sermons.
Thanks…
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 (ESV)