Current pundits apply the stigma of the cry for entitlements unto the mixture of current generations. “Entitled to this” and “entitled to that”. Because I have done “that”, I am entitled to “this” selection of favors. I am sure I am as guilty of the phrase as those from whom I hear the words, the disease is highly contagious. The term has its basic and rational applications, but its philosophy extends to a blanketing of attitudes serving the ego and disserving the energy of accomplishment. In the light of entitlements, productivity is often limited and adventure loses the simplicity of its joy. And, when we get to the matters of God and His grace, we find the demands for entitlement gloriously out of line. The Believer who grudgingly serves the dictums of God fails to accomplish their basic intentions. God graciously and expansively serves us so far beyond the limits of entitlements that we have no reasonable accounting beyond the limitlessness of His joy. God even goes so far as to admonish man for his lack of grace towards others of his lowly tribe and certainly towards the Giver of all gifts. I have been a Believer for over half a century and I still find no accounting for the Grace of God. It is boundless and beyond entitlement. Philosophically, I propose the question: if the desire for produce has no “accountability” premium, how is man expected to serve the goals of life with diligence? If the theory of entitlement is dismissed, what in the world will energize us to the successful exercise of our gifts? God’s answer is beyond my definition, but it is specific in practice. If entitlement’s theory is not acceptable, how and why can man be expected to accomplish anything at all? The answer is “by faith”! Yes, faith, that simplicity of trust in Grace that has equipped mankind since its first bequesting. Faith is not a dormant, passive measure of ineffective acceptance. Its benign and divine nature is energy, pure and powerful energy with the Sovereign Accent of Him Who created the world! Faith is energy, the very equipment of Grace.
So, “sleeper”, awake! Dismiss the limp entanglements of entitlement and grasp the goal of Grace. God so loved that not only do we have the finished work of His Holy Son, but we have the finishing working of His Grace. In glorious reality, grace clasped in the trembling hand of the Believer is empowered by God not only with the ability to accomplish whatever God assigns, but the persuasion of unmerited delight in its processing. Try it! The Lord IS my Shepherd! I shall not want the efficiency of His enabling unto His obedience! He will lead me to the satisfying meadows of His guidance unto the right paths of opportunity.
His Grace, not my entitlement, will grant me His Holy Fellowship forever. His Power and His Glory will enable me beyond the limitations of entitlements into the joy of accomplishments of energy resourced by Grace.
I may not be a valid promotional image, but I do offer God’s statement; here, today, try Grace – it works!
