We are NOT on Probation

We Are NOT on Probation

There’s never been a prisoner released on parole, because the parole board said this:  “We are letting you out of prison now, because you have become a new creature.”  Prisoners are released, because they have demonstrated “good behavior.”  However, they are placed on probation so that if their “good behavior” goes “south,” then they have to return to prison.

Condemnation could be summed up like this: You think you are on probation with God and that acceptable behaviors determine our position with God or His pleasure with us.  

We’ve all had jobs where we had a 90 day probationary period.  People probably marry too, with probation in mind!

No wonder then, we have a hard time renewing our minds to the Word of God and the TRUTH regarding “being in Christ.”

It’s hard to imagine real transformation taking place in our lives, if we are insecure regarding our relationship with God and His Son, Jesus Christ.

TRUE TRANSFORMATION or, being conformed to the image of God’s Son has at its very foundation the security of being in Christ.

God works from this foundation.  Here is an analogy: building a house.  Everyone wants to know how well the foundation is, when constructing a home.  No house can ever stand if the foundation is NOT secure! 

The Holy Spirit has been sent in our hearts to teach and show us the TRUTH regarding the ACT of His Son at the cross.  Things were forever changed in God’s economy.    God is offering the GREATEST GIFT to mankind right now.  God’s marvelous, marvelous GIFT is His Son and we can know the unfathomable riches of God’s GRACE.

When I stopped and allowed the AUTHOR of the Scriptures (who is God) to be the ONE to teach, interpret, and underline the TRUTH FROM His Scriptures, my heart was filled with security!

I have experienced trying to apply Scripture in a cold, methodized or formulized manner.  We’ve all done it to ourselves and to others.  If God can illumine the Scriptures to our hearts, we will be TRANSFORMED!

Many believers have struggled with the HOW in their lives to really live the Christian walk.  When they were failing or did fail, fear and condemnation became the centerpiece of the heart.  Many live distantly live from God because they believe we are distant.  This thought of separation with God, because of lack of right behaviors (for now), brings nothing but insecurity, and little assurance of their “being in Christ.” 

Sometimes we honestly DO NOT know what the real problem is with believers – the appearance could be to us one thing, the heart a different matter.  This is why God calls us to not to judge by “outward appearances,” but we surely need to ask God.  Paul so addresses this in Romans 7.

When a person finds the Christ in them is the WAY and the HOW, the heart is free and in loving fellowship with God!  Romans 8!

God so wants to show us and teach us.  He truly is the AUTHOR of the Scriptures we can know.  It’s not that He does not use His body to be teachers and exhorters of the Scriptures, but we first need to all understand from the Lord Himself, the same thing!  Then we can truly encourage one another in His way!

We are not on probation!  “If any man IS in Christ, He IS a NEW CREATURE!” 

II Corinthians 5:17

Sue Gaither