Grace Church

Galations 2:16 - We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

. . . to be justified by faith in Christ . . . This brings to the forefront of my mind an aspect that I find struggle with from time to time. Am I the only one — or is it a “human trait”?! I can choose a focus and rest in full confidence that God is in charge and all is well, or I can cling to my own works and worry and be anxious.

For example, 2 1/2 years ago hearing a diagnosis of locally advanced breast cancer — that could well ’set one back’. Certainly there were times of struggle and wondering and weakness and questioning. Yet, the pervading knowing which I carried with me was the calm assurance and peacefulness that — God is in charge and ALL IS WELL.

However, the debts left from all the required medical treatments and care — why do I continue to wring my hands and wonder how they can ever be cleared away? Can I not be faith full that God is there as well? And yet, WHY, WHY, WHY — did I fret and beg and plead (with God) when time came to return to work? That had NOT been a pleasant scene! There was no feeling of confident knowing that all would be well; in fact, it seemed that NOTHING could be well! (And, hmmmm — I’d certainly shown good works! I’d certainly been exemplary in performance! I’d certainly been the “go-to” person! Shouldn’t that justify everything?!”) I had to jar myself to the Truth. The same God who was in charge of my body’s healing was in charge of my employment. Where was MY faith? In my doing or in God alone?

Likewise, the same God is in charge of relationship after relationship that I may struggle with and worry and try to do, do, do! Even when I hear aright, I find myself all too often replying, ” Yes - - - buuuut …” Wouldn’t it be simpler to maintain that FAITH? To be … justified by faith in Christ Jesus?

In the ‘return to work’ scenario, I was able to do just that and God’s intricate plan placed me in a different job — with a wonderful Christian co-worker. There is so much we can share. We can be prayer warriors. We can power onward and invite others along the way.

Other areas of my life are yet training ground, the likes of relationships in which I cling to my own works, my own ways of doing, my own understanding — and then wonder what is going wrong? In myriad ways, God is teaching and showing me … in study of the Word, yes; in Grace sermons, blogs, and relationships, yes; in song lyrics, in “coincidences” and messages and calls and readings, yes. And most evidently in the ever-present reminder of FAITHFULNESS … to be justified by faith in Christ Jesus … and only then rest in assurance that ALL IS WELL.

Thank you Precious Jesus, for your ever-present tenderness which brings us back when our focus may drift. Brace our faith, Lord Jesus, that yes, our works reflect Thee BECAUSE we are justified in Faithfulness to Thee. Thank you God, Amen.