Learning To Receive From God

“For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (^[delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

As we live by grace we need to learn how to enjoy receiving from God.  Many of us struggle in this area, and quite often this is because we try to bring the promises of God to pass in our strength instead of Christ strength.

The Natural Mind
Abraham and Sarah were well past child bearing age. Yet, God promised them a child. They waited for a while, when they didn’t see a sign of the promise, they decided to ‘help God’ bring the promise to pass. It turned out to be a disaster! (Genesis16). Now, this is the work of the flesh (Natural man), no longer the work of the Spirit. We cannot produce the things of the ‘Spirit’ by the ‘Flesh’. Spiritual promises are supernatural! (John 6:63)

The natural man is ruled by the physical senses. Influenced by self gratification – self will, self pleasing rules and self glory. The natural mind will try to earn the promises of God by finding a way to make it work. But the promises of God are gifts. By Grace we are saved and everything comes by grace to us in Christ. Gifts aren’t earned, they are received! (Romans 11:6)

The Mind of Christ
The Bible says we can do all things through Christ, meaning, we have to put on the mind of Christ to receive the ability from God. We have to deny self thinking and replace it with Christ thinking by renewing the mind with the Word of God. (Romans 1-2). Don’t allow the enemy to use negative thoughts of quilt , shame, and every other reason why it is impossible to receive from God.  Let us Learn to rest in the perfect work of Christ as the qualification for receiving the blessings of God in every area of our life.

Prayer confession:
Thank you Father that Jesus is my justification to receive from You. I embrace Your gift of righteousness by faith. The Lord is my help and shield. God has richly giving me all things to enjoy in Christ. I refuse to conform to the corrupt way of thinking. The mind of Christ is in me, producing divine health, joy, peace, abundance, transforming me in every way into the very image of Christ. As Christ is, so am I in this world to do great exploit and advance the kingdom of God. I declare, I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me in Jesus Name. Amen

Reflection:  "Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect." (Romans 12:2)