A few months ago, I shared a post regarding a ‘journey’ I began t his past summer that involved working out regularly in a gym, even using a trainer a couple of times a week. It was unlike anything I have ever embarked on before. Seven months later, I’m still at it, hitting the weights and exercising 5 days a week. I’m down 22 pounds and those ‘other numbers’ the trainer looks at are all headed in a healthy direction. The bottom line: I’m not so winded after playing with those twin grandsons of mine anymore which was what motivated me to start working out to begin with.

I only bring this up again because there have been some good ‘spiritual lessons’ that have come with this change of lifestyle. I have to admit while I’m aware that many athletes talk about experiencing a healthy dose of endorphins being released when they work out, I have asked Jordan, my trainer, more than once...when will I begin to experience those? ;-)

But the ‘lesson’ I want to share with you today that has ministered to me ties in with the topic of ‘grace’ that we have been looking at this past week. Grace was never designed, not given freely, nor expected to be some camouflaged covering that hides our ongoing sins from God. Nor is grace some ‘get-out-of-jail -for-free’ card. And contrary to common belief among many ‘believers’ today, grace does not exempt us from the penalty of sin and God’s wrath. (Eph. 5:5-6; John 5:14; Rom. 6:23; John 8:34-35; Matt. 7:21-23; Gal. 5:21)

Grace... is the ‘empowerment’ of the Holy Spirit that enables us to be ‘more than conquerors’ (Rom. 8:37) who can ‘do all things through Christ who strengthens us’ (Phil. 4:13) so that we can overcome ‘all the power of the enemy’ (Luke 10:19). And I should not have to remind anyone that grace is only available to the ‘humble’... since God said He will 'resist the proud'. (James 4:6)

Unfortunately, too many people in church today have been brainwashed into believing they could never overcome all their sins...even though Jesus said the truth would set us free from them. (John 8:32-36). How many of us have struggled with unbelief, just like the majority of those Israelites in the wilderness did, and were convinced they could not overcome those Canaanite nations. Their unbelief resulted in their wandering for 40 years before dying out in the desert. (Numbers 13-14). Paul even uses them as an example and tells us to NOT... ‘be like them’. (1 Cor. 10:1-11; Heb. 3)

So how does this grace work? Simple, allow me to explain: There have been several occasions during my workouts, when I was on my third set of reps at the gym and those weights were getting heavier and heavier. My arms would begin to shake...and I knew...that I knew...I was not going to get that bar up three more times no matter how strongly Jordan was ‘pushing me to give it all I got’. And it was in those moments...I saw Jordan’s hand reach in...and support that bar...just enough...so I could press through and complete the reps. Nothing was said between the two of us, but I knew...it was only by his helping strength...that enabled me to finish, what I knew in my heart... I could not do on my own.

Friends...that... is exactly...what the grace of God does and was designed to do for us. And it’s not like there is some shortage of God’s grace to go around and help us in our time of need either, when we are tested and tempted by the enemy. Would you take a moment and go read Hebrews 4:15-16?

I’ll tell you what there is a ‘shortage’ of today- it is a shortage of faith, trust, and humility. Let us not forget that ‘where sin abounds, grace does MUCH MORE... abound.” (Rom. 5:20). Maybe it’s time we ‘humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord...so HE can lift us up’. (James 4:7-10). That is the only way...we will ever be able to 'go...and sin no more’. (John 5:14;8:11)