Yielding to God's Power for True Godly Living
Summary
In the exploration of godly living, it is emphasized that such a life is not achieved through human effort or self-reliance but is a manifestation of divine power. The concept of salvation, as presented, is solely the work of God, and individuals can contribute nothing to their reconciliation, redemption, justification, or the attainment of eternal life. It is by God's grace that one is saved, and the only requirement from individuals is to believe. This belief, however, is not a passive state but an active trust in God's work and promises.
The discussion delves into the common misunderstanding among believers that they are responsible for living up to the high moral standards set by their faith. Instead of striving in their own strength to achieve this, individuals are encouraged to yield to the power of God. This yielding is not a sign of weakness but an acknowledgment of the source of true strength and the ability to live a life that pleases God. The power to live a godly life comes from God, not from human resources or abilities.
The teachings of grace are highlighted, emphasizing that it is God who works in individuals, giving them the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. This is a radical shift from the religious mindset that often promotes self-effort and personal achievement. The message challenges the notion that individuals can boast about their spiritual accomplishments, as everything is a gift from God.
The concept of yielding versus striving is introduced as a key to living under grace. Yielding to God's power means pausing and allowing God to lead, rather than trying to produce the expected way of living through personal effort. This approach is contrasted with the Old Testament, where individuals worked for God, whereas in the New Testament, God works for them.
The high standard of living under grace is not lowered to accommodate society or personal weaknesses. It requires complete dependence on God, who equips individuals with everything they need to do His will. This equipping is not just for personal desires but for fulfilling God's plan and producing every good thing that pleases Him.
The message also addresses the role of believers as instruments for God to work through. It is not about trying to serve God in one's own strength but about yielding to be used by God. The distinction is made between serving God through self-effort and being used by God as He works through individuals.
In conclusion, the true life under grace is one that is completely dependent on God's power. Believers are called to trust in God for every aspect of their lives, recognizing that they are instruments in His hands. The responsibility of believers is not to achieve godliness on their own but to yield to God's power and allow Him to produce the life He desires in them.
Key Takeaways:
- Salvation and godly living are not the results of human effort but are gifts from God that require only belief and trust in His power. This understanding liberates individuals from the burden of striving to achieve righteousness on their own and redirects their focus to depend on God's grace. [06:54]
- Yielding to God's power is essential for living under grace. It involves recognizing that the high moral standards of the faith are not attainable through self-effort but are produced by God working within individuals. This yielding is an act of trust and submission to God's will and His ability to transform lives. [10:12]
- The teachings of grace emphasize that it is God who works in believers, giving them the desire and power to do what pleases Him. This challenges the religious mindset that often promotes self-effort and personal achievement, highlighting that spiritual growth and godly character are the work of God in the believer's life. [26:43]
- Believers are instruments for God's work, not self-sufficient entities capable of living a godly life on their own. The message encourages individuals to yield themselves to God, allowing Him to use them for His purposes, rather than trying to serve God through their own abilities. [50:04]
- The true life under grace is marked by complete dependence on God. This dependence is not a passive state but an active trust in God's power to provide, protect, and produce godliness within. Believers are called to trust in God for every aspect of their lives, recognizing that they are powerless without His divine power. [21:20]
Study Guide
Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—"
2. John 6:28-29 (NIV)
"Then they asked him, 'What must we do to do the works God requires?' Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.'"
3. Philippians 2:13 (NIV)
"for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
Observation Questions
1. What does Ephesians 2:8 suggest about the source of salvation and the role of human effort in it?
2. In John 6:28-29, what is identified as the work God requires from individuals?
3. According to Philippians 2:13, who is responsible for the will and action in a believer's life to fulfill God's purpose?
Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of grace in Ephesians 2:8 challenge the idea of earning salvation through human deeds?
2. Reflecting on John 6:28-29, what implications does believing in the one God has sent have for understanding one's role in God's work?
3. Considering Philippians 2:13, in what ways might God's work within a person manifest in their daily life and decisions?
Application Questions
1. Identify a recent situation where you attempted to achieve something in your own strength. How might you approach it differently by relying on God's grace?
2. Think of a specific instance tomorrow when you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your belief in Jesus through your actions. What will that look like?
3. Recall a moment from the past week when you felt overwhelmed by a challenge. How can you invite God to work through you in similar future situations?
4. Choose a relationship in your life that is currently strained. What is one step you can take this week to allow God's love to work through you in that relationship?
5. Reflect on your daily routine. What is one practical change you can make to reduce distractions and better listen for God's guidance?
Devotional
Day 1: Yielding to Divine Enablement
Yielding to God's power is essential for living a life that pleases Him. It is not by human effort but by divine enablement that one can truly embody godliness. This conscious choice to depend on God transforms the pursuit of a holy life from a burdensome task to a joyful expression of faith. [10:12]
Philippians 2:13 - "For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
Reflection: In what ways have you been trying to live a godly life through your own strength? How can you practice yielding to God's enablement today?
Day 2: Salvation: God's Work Alone
Salvation is a divine gift, not a human achievement. Belief is the human response to God's saving work, but it is God alone who initiates and completes the act of salvation. This understanding liberates individuals from the misconception that they can earn God's favor through their deeds. [06:12]
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Reflection: How does recognizing salvation as God's work alone change your perspective on your relationship with Him?
Day 3: The Transforming Power of Grace
Grace is not merely a passive acceptance of our flaws but an active force that empowers and transforms us. It enables believers to live out high moral standards, not through self-effort but through complete reliance on God's strength and provision. [20:02]
Titus 2:11-12 - "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age."
Reflection: How can you embrace God's grace today to overcome an area of struggle in your life?
Day 4: Decluttering for Divine Direction
A cluttered life can drown out God's voice, making it difficult to discern His guidance. Trusting in God's care involves decluttering not just our physical spaces but our minds and hearts as well. This trust is the foundation for experiencing God's peace and direction. [35:12]
Isaiah 30:21 - "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"
Reflection: What distractions are currently cluttering your life, and how can you begin to remove them to better hear God's voice?
Day 5: Instruments of God's Purpose
Believers are called to be instruments through which God works, not individuals striving to serve God in their own strength. Yielding to God allows His purposes to be accomplished through us, shifting the focus from self-centered service to God-centered ministry. [50:04]
2 Timothy 2:21 - "Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work."
Reflection: How can you make yourself more available as an instrument for God's use in your community today?
Quotes
"The power for living this Godly life is of God and not of us. It's his sufficiency... that the Excellency of the power may be of God and not of us." #!!40:09!!#
"I am now responsible with everything that confronts me in life to yield to the power of God and now accept the responsibility since I am responsible I am now going to be responsible for yielding to the power of God." #!!01:00:40!!#
"I want you yielding to the power of God and through the power of God that way of living will be produced by him not you. Your job is to believe, his job is to do the work." #!!10:12!!#
"In the Old Testament you worked for me, but in the New Testament I work for you." #!!11:18!!#
"This Christian Life cannot be successfully lived under grace without depending on the power of God. It's not about depending on you... it's not about you because eventually you'll begin to see it's seasonal when it's self-dependence." #!!24:07!!#
"Divine power alone can produce this divine order of living that he is expecting. He's able, but are we yielded or are we striving under grace? We got to yield to the power under religion we think we got the power." #!!17:08!!#
"In the teachings of Grace, great emphasis is placed upon the fact that it is God who works. It's hard for believers to receive that because we always want to do something so we can brag about it." #!!26:03!!#
"Complete dependence upon God is evidence that life must be lived by the power of God. Our lives must be lived by the power of God; that's why we got to depend on him." #!!21:20!!#
"Many Believers strive In Their Own Strength for a high moral conduct of living instead of yielding themselves to the power of God which will enable them to live according to that high standard of living that's under the grace of God." #!!09:29!!#
"God saved you by his grace when you believed and you can't take credit for it because it was a gift from God. Saved you by his grace when you believed." #!!04:07!!#
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