My daughter, Emagine, suffered third degree burns over 50% of her body when she was two years old. This November she will be 13. Because of her burns, she has a significant amount of scar tissue. This scarring presents Emme with an ongoing battle. She must keep moving or she will stop moving.

While there are medical procedures we’ve taken advantage of, and will continue to be available to her, the scar tissue constricts her mobility. And increasingly so. So the most basic fundamental thing Emme can do to retain her mobility is movement. Physical activity. Stretching. Again, she must keep moving or she will stop moving.

When I look at my life as a disciple of Jesus, I see this basic principle (not rule) at work.

We are to grow up into Christ, not by our own strength, but “in the strength of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). Our potential and power to act is in Christ alone.

We are to be strong in His strength. We are to be wise in His wisdom. We are to be joyful in His joy. In other words, you are only as strong as the strength you draw from Christ. You are only as wise as the wisdom you receive from Christ. You are only as joyful as the joy you find in Christ.

We live and move and have our being IN CHRIST. So, for example, if we do not find our rest in Christ, we will stop finding rest for our lives. If we do not find our peace in Christ, we will stop finding peace in our lives. If we do not find our hope in Christ, we will stop finding hope in this world. We are to abide in the Vine and we will bear fruit in the Vine. If we stop abiding in the Vine, we will stop receiving the life in the Vine. But if we remain in the Vine, “all things are possible through Christ who strengthens me”.

We cannot keep working without finding our rest in Jesus. Yet, we cannot keep resting without working out our salvation and calling in Jesus.

We cannot keep walking in obedience without finding our forgiveness in Jesus (because we will fail). Yet, we cannot keep walking in forgiveness without then living out our life in obedience to Jesus.

Dear Elim Grace, here’s the bottom line. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

If we do not keep on moving (“lay aside every weight, and sin”), we will stop moving (“run the race with endurance”).

So let’s keep our eyes fixed on the goal. Let’s press on forward and toward the upward call and prize in Christ Jesus. Let’s keep pace and move with the Spirit, because, if we do, we will reap the life of the Spirit. Bear the fruit of the Spirit. Walk in the power of the Spirit.

Pastor Jonathan