As we continue our series on experiencing God’s grace and walking in the blessing He has already availed to us, we delve deeper into how to apply our faith to lay hold of His promises. Many believers unfortunately spend their lives chasing blessings, praying for God to pour out something they already have. But the truth is we are already blessed! Scripture declares, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Therefore, a mature believer, one who has grown in matters of the Kingdom, is not striving to get blessed – they are focused on learning how to use their faith to walk in the blessing that grace has already provided. We are not striving to be blessed; we are already blessed because of what Jesus has done. However, while grace has made provision, there are Biblical principles we must apply to unlock these promises and walk in their reality. This response is what we call faith. We do not use the works of the law to appropriate what grace has provided, no! We apply the works of faith, aligning ourselves with God’s Word concerning what we are believing for. Grace is what God has done; faith is our response to it. Understanding this distinction is key to walking in the fullness of God’s blessing for us. So, we must shift our mindset from striving under the law to receiving by faith, applying spiritual principles that position us to experience His abundant life.
Sadly, many in the church struggle to differentiate between the works of the law (legalism) and the works of faith. This struggle was evident even in the early church, but we thank God because He leads us in the way we should go through His Holy Scriptures. Apostle Paul addressed the believers in Galatia who had returned to legalism despite having received the Holy Spirit by faith. He challenged them, saying, “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” (Galatians 3:2). Scripture asks us the same question today, and the answer remains the same – we received the Spirit through faith, not by our efforts. Paul further asks, “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” (vs.3). Church, relying on works to attain righteousness implies that Jesus’s sacrifice was inadequate and unnecessary. But scripture reminds us that our ‘righteousness’ is as filthy rags before God (Isaiah 64:6). No man is truly good – only God is good. The moment we lean on self-effort, we step out of grace and into the bondage of the law, which no one can fulfil. That is why we need Jesus! We must reject any perverted doctrine that adds human effort to God’s grace and suggests that righteousness can be earned, because we cannot attain righteousness through the law. Christ dwells in us through faith, so let us walk in it.
Before Christ came at His appointed time, the law served as a schoolmaster, guiding people toward maturity (Galatians 3:24) until Christ established our full adoption as children of God. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under the law (vs.25). The law was for those who had not yet matured in faith, but we have now put on the nature of Christ. When we put on Christ, we take on His mindset, His righteousness, and His identity, because “as He is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17). This means when God looks at us, He sees Jesus – holy and blameless – there is no distinction between us and Him. Our identity is no longer defined by race, status, or gender – “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female” – we are all one in Him (Galatians 3:28). We are heirs according to the promise, not through works but through faith (vs.29). Just as righteousness was credited to Abraham because of his faith, so it is for us in Christ (vs.6). Understanding this truth gives us the boldness of a lion (Proverbs 28:1) to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Saints, mercy and grace are already available; we need only take hold of them by faith. We do not beg for what is freely given; nor do we wait passively for God to move as those who know not whom they serve. No! We boldly receive His promises, knowing they belong to us. We walk in faith and act on His Word, expecting to see His goodness manifest in our lives. We walk in the fullness of God’s blessing, knowing that His grace has provided all we will ever need! Hallelujah!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for blessing us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Thank You for the promises You have freely given. We choose to embrace grace and walk in faith to receive the fullness of what You have provided. Holy Spirit, help us to trust in the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ, and live boldly in the righteousness that comes through Him. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
