a selfless victory

a friend whom i admire well beyond words sent me this quote, via text message this morning thus giving me my topic for my blog. its from j.i. packer's book, Knowing God:

so we believers may rejoice to know that our conversion was no accident, but an act of God which had its place in an eternal plan to bless us w/ the free gift of salvation from in. God promises and purposes to carry his plan through to completion and since it is executed by sovereign power, nothing can thwart it.

this is a wonderful promise i cling to faithfully especially now, as in this moment, i am struggling with the notion that many believers (Christ followers) perceive they are to act as surperiors and disciplinarians to those who are lost, faint at heart, searching for truth, or just extremely sensitive and pessimistic to the gospel or to believers in general (having been scared by a large body of believers or just people claiming to be "christians" at one time). we are not called to parade around as disciplinary figures firmly pointing out peoples flaws, transgressions, or inadequacies, pushing people to repent and follow Christ. we are to make known the gospel and the beauty of our merciful Father by walking out a life with Him. the most effective way to a person's heart is through our testimony and through carrying out an intentional relationship with them. being full of grace, accepting of them just as they are, yet loving them fully and desiring in the most sensitive way, for them to be completely in love with Christ.
when we gasp the beauty of what Christ did for us on the cross, we should recognize our unworthiness, as wretched sinners, of his mercy and grace. no one is worthy of Christs love, yet He allows us to experience it everyday, so that we may display this toward others. it is the biggest testimony of all. and the moment people realize they can "come as they are" to the feet of Christ, there is victory!
you simply cant parade into someones life and demand or even suggest a transformation of their way of life. you must be gentle, loving, relational, and patient, but most importantly, willing to give that power over to the Holy Spirit. he is the only one capable of changing hearts. i love this about the Lord, because in submitting our desire for control over to Him, the glory in the victory goes solely to our Father.
and when we make the mistake of thinking we can step in and change someone's heart ourselves, we are claiming surperiority over the broken in spirit, and distorting the picture of Christ's relationship with His children, and claiming selfish victory for ourselves rather than directing the praise and glory and honor to our Father who gives to us so freely.

this is my prayer today:

ephesians 2:8-10

for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. for we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

praise Christ. happy friday.