“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in Him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected (being brought to maturity) in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” I John 2:3-6 (NKJV)
One of the greatest obstacles in the Christian life is believing that I have to keep Jesus’ commandments as good as He did; because no matter how hard I try, I can’t manage to live up to His standards. No one can perform faultlessly by using human ability. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”( Rom. 3:23) Even the most perfect person you know cannot live up to God’s standards by his own effort. Therefore, comes into play God’s grace. Grace is not just God’s love and willingness to forgive our past, present, and future sins. It is the power to love and obey God’s word that takes up residence in the true believer. It is one thing to know what is right and wrong but a deeper experience to “know Him.” Grace is the power that causes the believer to have the desire to serve God because he loves God, and he knows God loves him.
One of the biggest lies of the devil is causing one to believe that because he does not live perfectly his relationship with Jesus is lacking something. The part of our relationship with God that depends on us is that we love Him and believe His word. Christ in us is the hope of glory. I can do nothing in my own strength, but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. You must believe in His power in you. That is where you get your strength to live. Stop trying to live up to the word of God and start believing God will give you the power you need. God loves you and wants to pick you up if you fall. Satan wants to knock you down and then condemn you because you fell. He then tells you how bad you are and how you have disappointed God and lost His love. You have to get over this kind of reaction or you will never be what God made you to be. God made you more than a conqueror! Start believing it and live like one. AMEN!!