OUTLINE:

We should appreciate God’s mercy for us, not test it.

Jn 6:44a
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.”

We should appreciate God’s mercy for us, not test it.

Mutual Exclusion
- Love is Christ’s domain:  when we “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Ro 13:14) we are motivated by love.
- Fear is the flesh’s domain:  when we put on the old self (cp Eph 4:22-24) we are motivated by fear.

“with confidence”
from parresia - means freedom, openness, especially in speech; boldness, confidence; implies proper perspective regarding God’s desire for us to freely enjoy access to the One who loves us, Who is merciful/gracious to us.

We should appreciate God’s mercy for us, not test it.

Putting God’s Mercy To the Test???
This is one of the hallmarks of believer-testing. While we can't be tempted to the point where we lose our salvation (1Co 10:13; 2Pe 2:9), we can be tempted to disregard God's mercy (cp Mt 4:6-7).

Jas 1:5-6
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.


Disengaging From God’s Mercy
This may be one of the most common things we believers do. When we disengage from our Lord's mercy, we relegate ourselves to the imperfect abilities of the flesh to deliver us from despair unto hope (cp Heb 6:19).

Is 64:6
For all of us have become like one who is unclean,
And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment;
And all of us wither like a leaf,
And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

“all our righteous deeds”
This may come as a shock to a LOT of Christians in this world. It's difficult to fathom that what man thinks is good is mere rubbish to the Holy God of the Universe. Why? Because man habitually uses the wrong standard of measure (Pr 16:11).

Col 3:23
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.

God’s Scale Of Values
Mercy takes a big hit when we lose sight of the fact that NOTHING we do in the flesh has any value in God’s eyes; even if EVERYONE on earth says differently. The “need” for mercy is fleeting for those who think their deeds are righteous in the flesh.

“firm”
from stereos - means solid (firm); referring to what is immoveable (will not budge); stable (not changeable), standing fast without buckling or giving way (steadfast).

Striving
Have you ever strove for something out of fear (love, friendship, acceptance, etc.)?

Jn 15:17
“This I command you, that you love one another.”

Be yourself!
Never fear rejection, especially when you know you're just trying to love others unconditionally.

“but overcome evil with good”
This takes divine perspective to enact. This is diametrically opposed to the deepest desires of the flesh. Jesus said, “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Lk 6:27). Remember, such “hearing” is a gift from God for believers only.

Lk 17:1-4
That is what functional love looks like.

The “Leaky Bucket” Syndrome
Love requires maintenance. We humans have “leaky buckets” when it comes to love - the bucket can be filled up pretty quickly, but over time, it leaks out and needs more love placed into it.

You are FREE…to Love!
God wants us not JUST to love in a way that He knows it, but to love others so that THEY know it!

God’s love is so great that He wants to save you.
THAT is the message of the Gospel.