Human Effort

Do you know the Story of Israel?

Israel was the Grandson of Abraham. His name was originally Jacob, which in the Hebrew means, "Heel," or "Heel-Grabber" or "Supplanter."

He was named this because he was the 2nd born of twins. As his brother Esau was born, Jacob grabbed his heel.

This would become the theme of his life, as later through lies and deception, he stole Esau's position as firstborn and the Spiritual Blessing reserved for the firstborn.

Living as a Liar & Deceiver, things actually seemed to go really well for him for a good while.

So many people are willing to do sinful things to get ahead of others...to gain and promote themselves...to obtain and to enrich them-selves...but in the end, How satisfying is it to Gain through Living a Lie?

That was Jacob's Life.

In the end, living out of his Human Effort was lame...and you also end up...Lame...living this way.

Jacob had an encounter with God one night as he found himself in a wrestling match with an "angel." I believe this was actually Jesus Himself showing up in the Old Testament. You can study that on your own.

It was through this encounter that his hip was made lame, and he walked with a limp the rest of his life. Yet, he realized he had been face to face with God Almighty and no longer had to live the Lies, in his Human Effort.

The Lord gave him a New Identity!

It is so much better to live from Godly Favor than your Human Effort!

Question: are you enjoying what Christ has made you, purely by His Divine Plan for you, rather than your Human Effort?

Colossians 3:1-3 (NLT)

3 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For *YOU DIED TO THIS LIFE, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

*(living by your Human Effort)

We now Identify with Christ's Death and Resurrection! We are a New Creation in Christ Jesus!