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On Grace And Self Control – Josh Journal

This sentence is one most Christians would cringe at reading. Grace is one of the most overrated creeds in Christianity.
The question though is that how can that which is though powerful, yet available in an endless supply be overrated? Does that even make sense?

True enough, the power of God’s grace is beyond human comprehension. Its availability is boundless. And its application is practically limitless.
Then what is this covfefe about grace?

Let me rephrase my opening sentences. Grace is one of the most crutched-on and abused creeds in the Christian faith.
Self-control on the other hand is one of the most avoided subjects, most underappreciated features, and the biggest failing for most of us.

Especially when it comes to avoiding sin, not falling for temptations, and standing up to responsibilities.
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…”
The grace of God would do this.

But I, and I know if you search, you will remember yourself, and maybe someone else you know, that waltzed their way into a temptation or evil.
Some people don’t even need the devil to tempt or prod them towards sin.

Their greed, desperation, and desire are more than whatever the devil has on offer.
God created man and gave us self-will. Self-will comes with an enormous dose of self-control. A lot of things we do comes down to our choice.

In regards to God’s saving grace, there is no substitution for that. Wherever there is sin, there is even more grace to redeem.
“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 5:20-21 KJV

Self-control though is man’s ability to say yes or no to enticing offers.
Eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil literally results in exactly what the name implies; a knowledge of good and evil.

Every civilization has always had a barometer for what is right or wrong. Every human knows what is good and bad. Each of us is often presented with the opportunity to decide per time.
We have seen “sinners” decide that “this evil” is where I draw the line. “I might be a bad person, but I would never do that.”

Then we would see a “Christian” whistle away as he does the same thing.
Does that mean the grace of God was present in the “sinner” at that time while it was absent in the “Christian” at the same time?

The grace of God is willing to keep you from falling, but are you ready to not fall? Or are you always in a hurry to go down like a premier league striker looking for a penalty? (I did not mention any Manchester United player)

God would not save anyone who is unwilling to be saved. This is despite an availability of unlimited grace.
Why do you then think He would prevent someone from sinning against the person’s will?

God’s grace is so powerful, yet self-control is also powerful. I have been in situations I know if I go ahead with a sin, it is not because God’s grace wasn’t enough.
It wasn’t because God failed me. I could tell that this sin is actually up to me. Whatever I gained from it was for myself, and the consequence was on myself.

Do not sacrifice self-control on the altar of grace. Take responsibility where it’s yours. Hand over whatever is beyond you to God.
The beauty of grace is that God is always willing and available to forgive.

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

– Romans 6:1-2 KJV

Wilson Joshua is a Video Editor, Content Creator, and Creative Writer.
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