FOCUS ON THE FINISHED WORK FOR DIVINE HEALTH

A lot of people think that the way to get health is to watch what they eat. For example, many people say that the Mediterranean diet is a very healthy one. I agree, generally. But do you know that the people whom Jesus healed were also on a Mediterranean diet? They did not eat pork and prawns, for example, because they were Jews and these things are not kosher for them.

I know that you want to walk in divine health. But God does not want your focus to be on food—what to eat, what not to eat—or even exercise—how to exercise, when to exercise. All these are natural means which the people of the world trust in. It is better to trust in the Lord and His finished work, than to put your confidence in the latest man-made diet plans and exercise regimes.

At the cross, Jesus took your sicknesses and carried your pains, and by His stripes you were healed (see Isaiah 53:4–5). The Bible even tells us how to escape sickness and premature death—by discerning the Lord’s body when we partake of the Lord’s Supper (see 1 Corinthians 11:29–30). But instead of focusing on these truths, many of us prefer to focus on dieting and exercising.

Now, I am not against eating well or exercising. I myself exercise and I do watch what I eat. For example, I don’t like to eat oily stuff because it makes me feel uncomfortable. And when I have to preach, I do my best not to eat foods that make me burp!

But I eat generally healthy stuff not because I trust dieting to make me healthy. I exercise not because I trust exercising to make me healthy. No, I trust the finished work of Christ to make me healthy. I eat well because I like to feel good and I exercise because I enjoy the rush, the sweat!

God wants you to be free when it comes to eating and exercising. Don’t make laws for eating and exercising, and then trust these laws to give you “divine” health. Trust in the finished work of Christ. Discern His body when you partake of the Holy Communion. And just enjoy your food and workout!  (Article & Picture; courtesy of Joseph Prince Ministries used with kind permission).

REIGN BY RECEIVING THE FINISHED WORK

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.  John 19:30

Beloved, you reign in life through Jesus Christ just by receiving two things from Him: the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness (Rom. 5:17). God’s way is not about achieving, but about receiving. But many Christians continue to live based on the world’s system of achievement.

The world’s system of success is built on the twin pillars of self-effort and diligence. The world tells you that the more you do, the harder you work, and the more hours you put in, the more success you will achieve. The world’s way is to nag you to work harder, to forget about attending church on Sundays, to spend less time with your family, and to spend more time in the office working through the nights, weekends, and holidays. I’m sure you’ve heard that you need to “pay the price,” after all, “no pain, no gain,” right?

Yet, God’s way is not for us to be blessed by our own efforts. You cannot earn God’s blessings by your performance. God’s blessings are based entirely on His grace. His blessings over your life are undeserved, unearned, and unmerited. In other words, there is nothing you can do to deserve His blessings, for they are based entirely on receiving Jesus, and through His finished work, the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness.

God wants us to stop trying to achieve and to begin receiving the favor, blessings, and healing that Jesus accomplished for us on the cross. When He hung on the cross some two thousand years ago, He cried out with a loud voice, “It is finished!” Everything you and I require to reign in life was accomplished at Calvary on our behalf. That’s why we call what Jesus did on the cross His “finished work.” He finished it. He completed it. It is done!

My friend, the only thing that works is the finished work. So stop trying to do what’s already done. Stop doing and start receiving what Jesus has done. Cease all striving and painful laboring to achieve your goals in your own strength and wisdom. Choose instead to see that Jesus has already finished the work. All you need in this life He has already provided for you through the cross. Rest in His unmerited favor and love for you.  (Article & Picture; courtesy of Joseph Prince Ministries used with kind permission).