April 29, 2009

“God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives in him.” Romans 8:29 The Message

What is God up to …?

Your life is being shaped according to the Original. You’re being shaped so that the same love Jesus lived with the Father will be real in you. You’re being shaped so that the life of the Son can make you truly alive. It is the only way. He doesn’t just give you a dosage of love. He decided long before you ever loved Him … to shape your life to look like Jesus .. the Son. The Son experienced everything that you will ever experience in your life. But instead of trusting himself .. He trusted His Father. That is the same life you are being shaped into today. All those little decisions you will make today and will make  tomorrow… Who are you going to trust? And about all those needs whispering relentlessly inside of you…? Where are you going to look for help?  If you love Jesus.. then you already know that there is nothing or no one apart from him that will make a real difference in your life. Trusting yourself means just numbing the pain .. distracting the struggle ..  and second-guessing God. And guess what..? God will continue to shape your life along the lines of his Son. He decided that a long time ago not based on your ability. So .. you have a choice today .. a real choice .. a life-shaping choice. It only takes a moment …

“I have made your very being known to them —  Who you are and what you do — And continue to make it known, So that your love in me — Might be in them — Exactly as I am in them.” John 17:26 The Message 

Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Restored Son-Originals following Jesus and friends of Priority One (ken@priorityone.org)