It’s all grace!

If you’ve ever watched a movie involving people hacking a computer program, you’ve probably heard of a “back door”. It’s something a programmer writes into the very DNA of the program that allows the programmer to enter and change the code – even if the main door, side door, windows are shut and the alarm is on. The back door is the way in when all other means seem unavailable.

Before I develop the ensuing thoughts and seek to encourage you towards obedience … please remember that all of this is bathed in grace.  We are saved by grace. And our faith is maintained by grace. Both the grace to obey to Jesus, and grace to wash away our failures and sins. I’m one of those Christians that believes that grace is necessary, vital even, to maintain the Christian life. Grace is the door, and the back door.

Obedience is possible.

I also believe that though grace is always available to us, and vitally runs through our veins, that we can conquer sin. I’m foolish enough to actually believe that “no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). I think sometimes we fool ourselves into thinking what we are doing (or not doing) isn’t really sin. I know for myself, I have an uncanny ability to talk myself out of obedience, to justify caving into temptation.

As I was reading Galatians this morning, the theme of “freedom” kept coming to the surface. Paul was exhorting the Galatians that though they accepted the Gospel of grace with great joy, they were being entangled by the law. Specifically, there were those who were seeking to convince them that they needed to be circumcised in the flesh. Why would this outward sign be necessary? In Galatians 6:12 I found the surprising answer, “only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.” Why were some espousing keeping the law of circumcision? Because they wanted to avoid persecution. Because they wanted to conform to the standards of the world around them. They didn’t want to go against the grain. It was “easier” to keep the law, than to proclaim the radical freedom of the Gospel of Jesus Christ – which would boldly proclaim that salvation is by faith alone, in Christ’s alone, through His grace alone.

I fully comprehend and have experienced the pressures of compromise – both internally (the weaknesses of my flesh) and externally (the pressures of the world). And yet I keep hearing the call of Christ Jesus to freedom! “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). It struck me that freedom is already ours. We do not need to earn it or fight for it. No striving is needed. All we need to do is stand firm in the freedom already bought, fought for, earned and given freely to us. We need not struggle to obtain it. We need only to stand firm.

The struggle is real.

I’m thinking about these things this morning because I’ve started another Whole30 – 30 days of clean eating. Eating in a way that I know works well for my body, that doesn’t harm, but rather does good. It’s not easy, but it’s beneficial. It goes against the grain (no pun intended, but this is a grain free way of eating). And in that can come pressure for compromise.

But from many times of fasting and engaging other forms of spiritual disciplines, I know that there is a blessing in obedience. Yes, there is grace when we fail, and at the same time there is a blessing in complete obedience. Just as in physical exercise our physical muscles are broken down, torn even, so that they might heal with additional strength as the by-product … so it is in other areas of life. When we obey I think our spiritual muscles get worn down and tired. We have to rely on the Holy Spirit to get us through (which we really need to depend on every day anyway!). Our flesh feels weak even when our spirit is willing. That’s ok. Because if we persevere we will reap the reward.

The reward is great.

I’m convinced that the by-products of obedience are greater than any “relief” or “reward” that come by way of compromise.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5).

Yes, we might have temptations and trials now. However, I am convinced that the rewards we will reap from obedience (not of our own power, but with the power of God at work in us) are far greater than we can imagine – in the life to come … but also in this life, here on earth, now.

The fruit of obedience is sweeter than anything else I’ve experienced.