Where are you living in the "do zone" or the "done zone"

But they became anxious when they were brought into Joseph's home, thinking, "It's the money; he thinks we ran off with the money on our first trip down here. And now he's got us where he wants us-he's going to turn us into slaves and confiscate our donkeys." Genesis 43:18 (Message)
Joaeph's way with his brothers after they'd treated him as if he were an enemy pictures well the way God deals with his family. We're inclined to believe that our right versus wrong performance is our pass into God's presence; but the truth is nothing we do can guarantee access into God's presence. God is entirely holy and only the perfect can attain to lifetime privileges of His favor. Through belief in Christ to salvation though, we can be made perfect, bought and brought into a lifelong relationship with Christ, where we live not to earn favor with God but as living proof of our love for Him. As Joseph's brothers sat afraid eating at their brother's table in fear of his avenging their hurting him; many Christians sit in God's presence, fearing His holy side, living with their performance constantly in view rather than allowing God's immeasurable love to be catalyst and control in all they are and do. The call is to live in the love of God, allowing His holy devotion to us to leave us so spellbound and changed that we live to reciprocate His great love. Our concept of God has great bearing on the way we live; as Christians we may find ourselves seeking to live in the "do zone" where we do all we can to earn God's merit; or we may live in the "done zone," where we allow His love to show itself as life-changing in our experience, a love that changes inside-out. When we seek to please God, we fail; when God's love compels us we live pleasing Him.

Time to live linked in to Christ

I've had much food for thought over the last couple days. Rick Warren said, "It's easier to fight for truth than to live it. It's why there are more defenders (of truth) than disciples." There's much debate over what the primary attribute of God is, whether holiness or love. Today, I'd like to place my ballot for both. The Bible beckons us to be pure in heart but pregnant with love. I'm learning that my need in life moments is more holiness and more love, for just as purity is power in my life, love is strength for my living. It takes a pure heart to show perfect love; but it takes a heart that loves God to have a heart that loves others. Our call is to live as apprentices would live in relation to their teachers, connected at the hip, in our relationship to Christ; following Him wholeheartedly, regardless of our feelings, our enemies, and our "rights." We need to be intentional about raising our bar of discipleship, for living snug close to Jesus, is the best defense and witness to the resurrection life of Jesus within us. As our focus is on living close to Christ and not on our outward expressions of spirituality; we find ourselves aglow with the light and life of Christ. It's then that people listen to our words of faith and truth. I'm passionate about a renewed heart to live as Christ's follower, one in love and truth.
"May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." Eph. 3:19 (NLT)