Guarding against Entitlement

 

So much has changed in my life this past year; I have moved again, become a wife, and changed jobs. This all has been quite an experience so far, and I am learning to take things a day at a time. The Lord has shown me so much grace in this time as I navigate healing, growth, and perspective. I am not writing as much as I should, and I think it is because I am still realizing how gracious God has been to me. Someone like me who never thought my life would be like this. I am grateful to be a vessel for the kingdom of God. When you give God your heart He will make it whole. Jesus is truly the sweetest name I know, and I say this because of the direction of peace and forgiveness. He has done in my life. I am learning to be quiet, live in the truth of the gospel, stand with integrity, and not compromise. I often wonder what direction God wants to take me each day, as He has given me a daily opportunity to experience His grace and mercy. The mercy God has granted me in this time is priceless, as we are living in times where the Bible talks about men being lovers of themselves and the days being evil. We must be vigilant and stay on guard as the adversary, the devil, is walking around seeing who he can devour.

What can we do to stay on the path of Jesus Christ in a society that constantly glorifies oneself and regards selfishness as the "way"? We often fall into the trap of "I obeyed, therefore..." I fasted; therefore... I gave this up; therefore... God must bless me or give me this or that. This is an erroneous way of thinking and prideful to assume that God owes me for my obedience. My obedience is not doing a favor for God; my obedience should be an expression of my love to God. Do not build your Christianity on external things. Don’t backslide because one man of God fell, and don’t conclude that a man is spiritually alright merely because signs and wonders follow his ministry. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance, but character is still the proof of a life that is walking with God.