Is everything on the line?

If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? (Romans 8:32 MSG)

God put everything on the line for us - what are we putting on the line for him? The more we ponder that question, the more we might just realize we are holding out on God. We are giving him small portions of our time, energy and talent, but when it is all said and done, we are still holding back from total obedience to whatever it is he asks of us. Why? It is too hard? We don't want to let go? We think we know better than God? Whatever the reason for holding back, we need to come to a place of surrender and let go of our justification for any form of disobedience!

God embraces us just as we are, but that doesn't mean we should go through life 'as we are'. There is a change of heart that leads to a change in actions IF there has been a genuine welcoming of Jesus into our lives. Anything short of a changed life if nothing more than a 'religious life'. You have found 'religion', but you haven't found Jesus! The embrace of God in our lives means there will be a visible change - not just on the outside, but on the inside, as well. If you have ever been embraced by someone when you needed it the most, you know how that embrace almost 'melts' you. Why would God's embrace do any less?

God's embrace comes with something we know as grace. Grace is when we receive what we did not deserve. Another word for it is mercy. God's embrace is merciful - it loves us even when we are unyielding and stubborn beyond measure. Yet, that embrace has a powerful effect - it brings the power to change. So many times, I hear believers say they just cannot seem to get past a particular hang-up or hurt in their lives. I have to ask - could that be it because we are rehearsing that hurt and engaging with that hang-up more than we are rehearsing God's grace and allowing his embrace to truly change our hearts? A changed heart will lead to a changed mind and that leads to changed behavior in the long run.

God is not a wish-granter. He is the all-powerful God who created and sustains all things - you and I included. He desires our love, but he won't force us to lay down what we love more than him. That 'laying down' of those things that we 'love' so much begins the movement toward a changed life. Yes, he embraced our 'condition' (sinful, selfish individuals), but his desire is to help us change our heart. Freely and gladly, he extends his grace. Freely we embrace his grace. Now, are we willing to freely lay down the things that grace shows us no longer belong in our lives? If we have embraced Jesus and not simply moved into 'religion', we will be ready to put everything on the line for him. Just saying!