We don't have anything to give unless we first receive. Some things we receive once like a name or a title of some kind and other things we receive over and over again like food or money.
A job is a perfect example. On the interview you walk in as one category of person but if you are hired you suddenly become another. Suddenly you belong. You have received a position and will start receiving a pay check.
"He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" - Romans 8:32 ESV
"For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." - John 1:16 ESV
God only gives to us based on grace. Instead of us going on the interview... Jesus did. Instead of us getting evaluated by our performance... Jesus Is. We can receive because of what Jesus did and who Jesus is. Jesus' position and performance are fixed. He Is sitting at the right hand of the Father in a position of rest and acceptance.
"By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world." - 1 John 4:17 ESV
Can we fathom the implications of this! It is such good news. No Heavenly interviews... no evaluations in this life... no conditions... no probation... no lasting failures that hinder progress... We walk right past the front desk as if we belong and go boldly into the throne of Grace for help.
The only way we can be cut off from our provision is if we stop receiving it. Our position remains ours even if we disqualify ourselves and our provision remains available and waiting for us to start receiving it again. Once we start receiving we build momentum. That momentum can be lost and might take time to be regained but even that is not our work. God might just use our failure to propel us forward at an alarming rate.
"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." - Ephesians 1:6 KJV
God has given us acceptance. We don't need to get it again and again.
"Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word," - Ephesians 5:25b-26 ESV
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." - Romans 12:2 ESV
We do need daily mind renewal. We are washed but our feet get dirty and need to be washed often in order to stay clean. God does that work for us. In humility we receive even that.
I don't want to go into this year forgetting what has happened to me because of what Jesus has done on my behalf and yours I don't want to leave my daily provision on the counter at home.
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain." - 1 Corinthians 15:10a ESV
The Apostle Paul refused to stop receiving what was freely given from God. We can do that also.
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