Every time I hear that being a Christian is a struggle in these times, I can’t really agree with it, because I think it has always been this way. Seeking God and living in the world don’t go hand in hand. I sometimes feel that life would have been better if choices were as simple as ‘black or white’. But we are most often caught mid-way. It was that way when we were young – wear certain clothes, buy certain colours, befriend certain people, do certain things… But to be honest, I found it to be boring and far too mechanical. I never realised that something this easy would become burdensome. It sure was too much to bear, as it was imposed and had a simple reason – FEAR OF GOD. Though the cross signified the love of Christ, I always got chills when I thought about this fear.

Well, the entire plot twist happened when I encountered God for real. Unlike fury and lava would say, He called me precious and told me how much He cares about me. But wait! This is not the God I know! So, I went back to find out the reason for this contradiction and learned that, since this is the dispensation of grace, God is more about love. Yay! My religious mind was back in place! But my heart ached because I feared the day when God would be real and honest about me. I couldn’t even imagine how to face it and what it will be like. Plus, I was hurt that God had to be unreal with me and is not accepting of my real self.

Since the mechanism of expression that God used didn’t work well with me (as I was pushed back because of religion), He changed the pedagogy. The new instruction involved revelation. He unravelled to me the mysteries of who He is and what He expects of me through the Word. This not only satisfied my work-oriented self but also broke many of my religious misconceptions.

The Scriptures tell us that God is abounding in mercy and love. More importantly, it is about God knowing our nature.

Jesus answered, “Do not yield to your fear, Simon Peter. From now on you will catch men for salvation!”

Luke 5:9 (TPT)

Jesus knew Peter’s mindset very well. He knew about his fears and worries. If God knows us so well then why does He demand so much from us? Or is it that we think He demands? How did this work-oriented belief system come to existence?

If we look closely at scriptures, we realise that people gave or did things unto God because they were in awe of God. It is not about what we do but about our relationship. With time, the relationship fades and what remains is labour. But this is our calling, as Jesus quotes:

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST (renewal, blessed quiet) FOR YOUR SOULS. For My
yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.”

Matthew 11:29-30 (AMP)

The Message translation says that we are expected to ‘learn’ to live freely and lightly in the company of Jesus. Our default nature is to work and do more work to please God, people and ourselves. That is why the scripture very well says ‘learn’ because this is not in our programme but through companionship with the Triune God, we are transformed to live freely and
lightly!

Hey, I am not saying that there is an absence of struggle. We struggle because our carnal nature is in conflict with the Spirit of God in us. But this conflict cannot be resolved through work. Galatians 5.19-21 quotes works of the flesh and 22-23 quotes fruit of the Spirit. In simpler terms, if we are in the flesh, we strive and work, while in the Spirit, we bear fruit as we are grafted with Jesus and we abide in Him.

Does this mean no more work? NO.

Be close to Daddy and know your identity. In this progressive journey with Daddy, I realised that my righteousness is His work and I don’t have to be burdened about the same. Instead, by tasting more of His faithfulness and love, I start reflecting Him, and as I receive more of His abundant life, what pours out of me is the same.

We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (TPT)

Do I still struggle?
Yes.
Do I triumph?
ALWAYS!