Jesus Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law. He redeemed us and made us righteous. From that point on we grow in grace.
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and GRACE which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began” (2 Tim. 1:8-9).
We should not be ashamed of our testimony. We need to not be ashamed of who we are. I am convinced that most of the time, if people see us stand up for Jesus, they’ll be excited. There are many semi-quasi closet Christians all over the place that are looking, just like God is looking, for one person who will stand up in faith and say, “Yes, I’m a Christian. Yes, I believe in God.”
The Spirit of Grace, the Holy Spirit, is able and willing to empower us with boldness if we will step forward in faith. “Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, ‘The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously’? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble'” (James 4:5-6).
When we go before the throne of grace, we cannot go in a prideful, stiff-necked way. Why? Because God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. Who is “the proud” anyway? The proud is the person who says, “I know God said He would do it that way, but I have a better plan that’s going to help Him out a little bit…and I’m going to ask God to bless my plan.”
Have you ever done that? You get a plan all worked out. (It’s probably the goofiest plan in the world, but you believe it will meet your need.) You think, “This plan will make me look good. This plan will make me ‘tall hog at the trough.’ This plan has got to be the best plan there is for me.”
So you take your little plan and go before the Father and say, “Father, in the name of Jesus, I come humbly before You today. Here’s my plan, Lord. Bless it.”
It’s pride when we come before God in this way. In essence we are saying, “I’m not going to trust in You to give me a plan. Here’s my plan. Bless it.” Do you know what that is? That’s the “God is my servant” mentality. Don’t take me wrong. Jesus said we all need to be servants. He said He was a servant. However, we must not try to subtly make God submit to our plans and ideas.
T. L. Osborn, in one of his books, called it “the errand boy philosophy.” The “errand boy philosophy” is thinking we can order God around in the name of Jesus, expecting Him to be our errand boy. It’s telling God, “Okay, go over there and do that in the name of Jesus. Do it now.” That’s seriously disrespectful; but that’s exactly what a lot of Christians try to do.
Some people confuse the teaching of faith with the “errand boy philosophy.” These people say that faith teachers preach a “name it and claim it gospel” and this is ordering God around in Jesus’ name. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Naming God’s Word and naming God’s plan and claiming it for our own life is what God wants. God stands willing and able to move on His own Word, by grace, when the Christian stands on it. The error comes in when a person names and claims their own fleshly desires and asks God to move on their desires in the name of Jesus.
There is a big difference.
Expecting God to move on our own desires just because we use the name of Jesus is wrong thinking and false doctrine. “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:5-6).
Pride hinders the grace of God.
Excerpt from Larry Ollison’s book “Discover the Power of Grace in Righteousness”
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.