Soon after her daughter could walk, a friend of mine taught her little girl to say “charge it” when she handed the credit card to the cashier. It was adorably cute, but also dangerous, because the little girl hadn’t been taught how that little card allowed the purchase to be completed. She didn’t realize the debt that was incurred when that purchase was made. I think everyone recognized that at some point another lesson would need to follow, otherwise, she could get into some unfortunate purchase patterns later in life.
Another lesson that wasn’t taught was what to do when you hand the card to the cashier and hear the dreaded words, “I’m sorry, but that card has been denied.” These words are especially concerning when you know that there’s credit there to be spent. You quickly search your brain for explanations as to why what you know you have received would be deny at the moment of importance.
Unfortunately, Christians often live in such a way that they regularly deny the credit that they have received. As Walter Raleigh says, “We profess that we know God, but by works we deny Him; for beatitude doth not consist in the knowledge of divine things, but in a divine life, for the devils know them better than man.” (The Works of Sir Walter Ralegh, Kt., v. II). In other words, we are tempted to think that what we know about Christ is evidence of our relationship with Him. However, the Bible clearly states that how our faith is demonstrated by our works (James 2:14-26). This isn’t to say that our faith is the result of our works, but they are the natural outcome of it. When our lives don’t conform to the faith that we profess. we are denying the righteousness that’s been credited to us in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21).
Just like we all shake our heads when we see a billionaire who is stingy with his money, so the angels in heaven might shake their heads when they see us , who have been credited all of Christ’s righteousness, live as if we have none. May instead we do the things that He has called us to do, knowing that because of the richness of His grace and His sacrifice on the Cross, our account has already been paid in full.
Now it’s your turn – How do you stay strong to do the things that God has called you to do?
