Undaunted.Life: A Man's Devotionalنموونە

SPIRITUAL, Day 5: Choose Your Fuel Picking the right fuel is of paramount importance in many areas. You shouldn’t put diesel in an engine that needs unleaded… You shouldn’t pig out at a Chinese food buffet before running a marathon… You shouldn’t study for your ACT/SAT by only watching Netflix… You don’t have to be a mechanic to know what gas is required for your vehicle, an Olympian to know what food is best to eat before a long run, or a college professor to know that binge watching television shows isn’t the best test prep. But what if I were to ask you what the best fuel is for your spiritual strength? Do you have any ideas? Most people would likely default to the “checklist items” for what they think being a good Christian is (i.e., church attendance, Bible studies, prayer meetings, Christian radio, etc.). However, the author of the book of Hebrews tells us exactly how we are strengthened. In parts of Hebrews chapter 13, we see the author drawing a doctrinal line between a true and pure faith in God’s grace and a syncretistic blend of Jesus’ sacrifice and Jewish traditions. Specifically in verse nine, the author explicitly tells us that our hearts are strengthened by grace and not by food. He is not making a reference to believers’ dietary choices; he’s referencing the specific infiltration of Jewish offerings, rituals, and sacrifices into the Christian faith. In the first century, many of the early Christians found themselves trying to figure out how the best way to worship Jesus was. There were several groups that simply could not come to grips with the fact that you only needed the grace of God via the sacrifice of Jesus to be saved. They just knew that there had to be something more to it; there just had to be some personal grit and effort involved, right? This is where a lot of men struggle. In most areas of our lives, we are fueled by our accomplishments through our own effort. Food is on the table because we worked hard to get the job, and we are diligent at the job. We made the team because we did the necessary off-season training and preparation, and we performed well during the tryout. We solved the problems between two friends because we convinced them to come together, and we led them directly towards reconciliation. Yet, it doesn’t work the way with God. We simply cannot work, train, or argue our way into God’s grace. There is nothing we can do to deserve it more than any other person on earth. Simply, it is a gift; one that we do not warrant but one that is available to us all regardless. THAT is our fuel. THAT is how we strengthen our spirits. It’s not by our might or power but by His spirit alone. How can you adjust your perspective to rely more on God’s grace as opposed to your own striving? What adjustments can you make to help you choose the right fuel?