Have you been feeling as though you have missed the mark in your relationship with Jesus? Been there, done that, tee shirt. Believe me. One day when I was feeling particularly like a failure and suddenly I could see the Lord... smiling! I was totally confused by the smile since that is not what one typically wears to a pity-party such as I was hosting. I said, "Lord, why are you smiling that coy smile at me when I am confessing to you that I am an utter failure at our relationship?"
He said, "I just find this whole thing amusing and I AM wondering how long you are going to continue to flog yourself."
I was speechless and only the Living God can produce that effect in me I assure you. Jesus took the whip from my hand and this is what he imparted to me:
"Kelly, I take full responsibility for our relationship!"
It is a religious spirit that makes people feel as though they must perform, get it right, measure up, and be the glue that holds the relationship together. Jesus is the most responsible person you and I will ever know! He has never let anyone down--he cannot do that. He is the author or initiator of our faith relationship with God, and he is the finisher or the completer of this relationship. And, he maintains the relationship.
Our part is to make ourselves singularly available to Him!
The vision of Him that day revolutionized my life and my faith. It has made me utterly God-confident.
Religion will accuse you, telling you that you are failing Jesus, that He is somehow disappointed in you, your ministry or your performance. This lie harkens back to the Garden of Eden, doesn't it? "Hath God not said..." Any conversation that begins with that interrogative is doomed to hell.
Jesus, the Word will tell you this:
"Faithful is He that called you, Who will also do it." 1 Th. 5:24
Jesus is the mediator of the New Testament, his expressed will. And, by way of his blood he is watching over this holy legal document to perform it in your life. "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14)
Jesus chose you for Himself, He chose you for this and for such a time as this. You are going through to the land of promise not based on anything you are or anything you have done. You are going forward to accomplish the destiny of Jesus Christ and to establish his throne upon the earth. The flip side of this is that nothing that you have done or have not done can prevent you.
Love, you did not make the way---Jesus made the way and is the way. To encourage you here are some scriptural waymarks for you:
Hebrews Chapter 9: Jesus is the Reliable Testator
Romans 4:16-25: Jesus believes in you and calls those things that are not as though they are.
2 Timothy 1:12-14: Jesus is ABLE to do that good thing He has called you to.
Hebrews 4:2-9: Jesus is THE REST provided to the people of God.
John 16:33: Jesus has overcome the world for you. His word will silence a religious spirit.
Remember, Jesus is the Responsible Party. He is able to respond to you in a way like no other. May you always be receptive and available!
 Kelly Deppen is an alum of Messiah college in Grantham, PA where her great grandparents were co-founders. Her business degree is from Pennsylvania State University. She left a 22 year corporate career in Marketing and Organizational Leadership 4 years ago to write and speak full time. She is the author of PARABOLA: Experiencing Jesus Christ as Reality released November 2008 in Second Edition. Kelly and her husband David serve via Bridges Revelatory Ministry. Their mission is to be a coherent and compassionate prophetic voice to all faith expressions and to all cultures and people-groups.
You can find out more at: www.theparabola.com |
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