Humans Cannot Initiate or Control Any of This

Tom raised his hand again. “David, this is overwhelming. You’re saying we have no control over any of it? That feels… I don’t know… passive?”

David leaned forward. “Tom, I understand. I wrestled with this for years. But look at what Scripture says:

1 Corinthians 12:13 ‘For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.’

Passive voice: ‘we WERE baptized’—it was done TO us, not BY us.

Colossians 2:10 ‘and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.’

Made complete—passive. HE completes us.

Ephesians 2:10 ‘For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.’

We are HIS workmanship. He creates. He forms. He builds.

We can’t make ourselves part of Christ’s Body. God places us there.

We can’t make ourselves complete. God completes us.

We can’t save ourselves. God saves us.

Tom, you said it feels passive. It IS passive—on our end.

But it’s not passivity in the sense of doing nothing. It’s receiving what only God can give.

Think about it: Can a dead man resurrect himself? No. Someone else must raise him.

Ephesians 2:1 ‘And you were dead in your trespasses and sins.’

Dead people can’t do anything.

But God made us alive:

Ephesians 2:4-5 ‘But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).’

HE made us alive.

So yes—we have no control over it. We’re recipients. We’re beneficiaries of God’s goodness restored by grace.

But that’s the most freeing truth in the universe!

Because it means:

I can’t mess it up (He holds me, not the other way around)

I can’t lose it (it doesn’t depend on my performance)

I don’t have to prove myself (I’m already accepted by grace)

I can rest (the work is finished)

Grace destroys SELF. Because SELF wants control. SELF wants credit. SELF wants to contribute.

But grace says: ‘It’s already done. Receive it. Rest in it. Rejoice in it.’”

The Incomparable Future—Ephesians 3:20

Frank spoke again: “David, you mentioned earlier that we’re the Bride of the King of everything. What does that mean for our future?”

David smiled widely. “Let me tell you what I’ve discovered about our future through Ephesians 3:20-21:

‘Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.’

Far more abundantly beyond ALL that we ask or think.

Listen: Whatever you can imagine Jesus doing for His Bride when He comes…

He will do infinitely more.

Think about the best you can imagine:

Instant transformation to glorified bodies
No more sin, pain, sorrow, death
Reunion with loved ones
Face-to-face with Jesus
Reigning with Him forever
New Heaven and New Earth

Now multiply that by infinity.

Because Ephesians 3:20 says: ‘far more abundantly BEYOND all that we ask or think.’

We literally cannot comprehend how good it will be.

1 Corinthians 2:9 ‘but just as it is written, “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”’

Eye has not seen. Ear has not heard. Heart cannot imagine.

Romans 8:18 ‘For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.’

Not even comparable. The scale is so different that suffering and glory can’t even be measured on the same chart.

And this glory—this unimaginable, incomprehensible, indescribable future—is given to us by grace.

Not because we earned it.
Not because we deserve it.
Not because we were good enough.

Because Jesus loves us. Because the Father chose us. Because grace is infinite.

We are the Bride of the King of everything—literally everything. He created it all, He sustains it all, He rules it all.

And we get to reign with Him. Not as servants far below Him. As His Bride, co-heirs with Him, seated with Him in heavenly places.

Ephesians 2:6 ‘and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.’

We’re already seated with Him—positionally. The Harpazo is just the physical manifestation of what’s already spiritually true.

Romans 8:17 ‘and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.’

Everything that belongs to Christ belongs to us. Because we’re His Bride. Because we’re in Him. Because of grace.”

There Is No Lack in Grace

David’s voice grew stronger. “Here’s what I want you to understand: There is no lack in grace. None whatsoever. It’s impossible.

Why?

Because grace is God, and God is infinite.

Can infinity run out? Can the ocean become empty? Can the sun stop shining?

No.

Grace is:

Eternal (it has no beginning or end)
Infinite (it has no limits)
Sufficient (it’s always enough)
Abundant (it’s more than enough)
Perfect (it never fails)

2 Corinthians 12:9 ‘And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”’

His grace is SUFFICIENT.

Not barely enough. Not just getting by. Sufficient. Complete. Perfect.

And here’s what I learned when I was broken: Grace knows everything in advance and provides everything when needed.

When I lost my business, grace provided.
When I lost my marriage, grace sustained.
When I lost my health, grace carried.
When I lost my reputation, grace remained.

Grace never left. Because grace is God, and God never leaves.

Hebrews 13:5 ‘Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU.”’

Never. Ever.

When everything else is stripped away—and I mean everything—you discover that grace is all you need.

Because grace is God.

And if you have God, you have everything.

There is no lack in grace. It’s impossible.”

Grace and SELF Are Absolutely Incompatible

David stood up, his passion rising. “Let me say this again because it’s the most important thing:

Grace and SELF are absolutely, completely, totally incompatible. They cannot coexist.

This isn’t negotiable. This isn’t a spectrum. This is absolute.

Either ALL grace and NO self, or ALL self and NO grace.

In the Kingdom of Heaven, there is no SELF. None.

Because SELF is sin. SELF is lawlessness. SELF is the root of every rebellion against God.

What was Satan’s sin? ‘I will make myself like the Most High’ (Isaiah 14:14). SELF exalted.

What was Adam’s sin? ‘You will be like God’ (Genesis 3:5). SELF seeking independence from God.

What is the essence of all sin? SELF on the throne instead of God.

And what is grace? God on the throne, SELF crucified.

Galatians 2:20 ‘I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.’

‘It is no longer I who live’—SELF is dead.

‘Christ lives in me’—Grace is alive.

You cannot have both. The moment you try to add SELF to grace, grace is nullified.

That’s why Jesus said in Matthew 16:24: ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.’

Deny SELF. Not improve SELF. Not manage SELF. DENY SELF.

Luke 14:33 ‘So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.’

Give up ALL. Not some. ALL.

Because the Kingdom operates on 100% grace, which means 0% SELF.

This is why most people don’t enter.

Not because they’re not religious. Not because they don’t believe in God. Not because they don’t do good works.

Because they won’t die to SELF.

They want to keep a little control. A little credit. A little glory.

And the moment they do, they’ve chosen SELF over grace.

And where there’s no grace, there’s no peace. Where there’s no peace, there’s no truth. Where there’s no truth, there’s no Kingdom.”

The Tragedy of Lazy Men

David’s tone shifted—sadder now, more urgent.

“There’s something I need to address. Something I’ve seen my whole life that breaks my heart.

Lazy men who call themselves Christians but never read the Bible.

I’m not talking about people who struggle to read. I’m not talking about people with learning disabilities or who work three jobs to survive.

I’m talking about smart, capable, educated men who are too lazy and too proud to read God’s Word.

They know everything. They’ve got it all figured out. They’re efficient, effective, successful.

They build careers. They build businesses. They build empires.

They build kingdoms of SELF.

And they shave off time that could be spent reading Scripture because they’re ‘too busy.’ Because it’s ‘not efficient.’ Because they can get the summary from a podcast or a devotional.

They’re too lazy to do the work of reading.

And here’s the result: They have no idea what the Bible actually says.

They don’t know about:

The Harpazo (Rapture)

The Feasts and their prophetic fulfillment

The biblical calendar vs. the world’s calendar

Grace and peace and what they really mean

Adoption and grafting

The Body of Christ

The Bride and the wedding feast

The difference between grace and works

The absolute incompatibility of grace and SELF

They’re biblically illiterate.

And when you’re biblically illiterate, you’re:

Easily deceived
Easily manipulated
Easily led astray
Building on sand instead of rock

Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-27: ‘Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds slew against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds slew against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.’

You have to HEAR the words. You can’t act on what you don’t know.

And you can’t know what you’re too lazy to read.

Laziness is deadly.

It keeps people from:

Knowing God
Understanding His plan
Recognizing the times
Being ready for His return
Living by grace instead of SELF

And here’s what’s tragic: These lazy men often become Christian Nationalists—people who wave flags, claim to fight for God’s kingdom, but rely entirely on:

Political power
Military force
Earthly authority
Human systems

That’s not the Kingdom of God. That’s the kingdom of SELF wrapped in religious language.

Jesus said His Kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36).

Paul said our weapons are not of the flesh (2 Corinthians 10:4).

Peter said we’re aliens and strangers in this world (1 Peter 2:11).

But Christian Nationalists? They’re trying to build God’s Kingdom through:

Elections
Legislation
Courts
Armies
National identity

That’s SELF trying to do God’s work through human means.

And Jesus will say to many of them what He said in Matthew 7:23:

‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’

Lawlessness = SELF-rule instead of God’s rule.

Even when it’s dressed up as ‘fighting for God’ or ‘defending Christian values.’

If it’s not by grace, it’s lawlessness.

If it’s by SELF, it’s sin.

If it’s through human power, it’s not God’s Kingdom.”

David paused, his voice softening.

“I don’t say this to condemn them. I say it to warn them.

Read the Bible. Actually read it.

Not devotionals. Not commentaries. Not summaries.

The Word itself.

Because it takes supernatural ability to read the Bible and see supernatural truth.

The Holy Spirit reveals things to those who seek.

But if you’re too lazy to seek, you won’t find.

Matthew 7:7 ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.’

Lazy men don’t seek. They assume. They guess. They rely on their own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5 ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.’

Lean on HIS understanding. Which means read HIS Word.”

How Harmful Is Laziness?

Martha asked quietly, “David, how harmful is this laziness, really?”

David’s eyes were serious. “It’s eternally harmful, Martha.

Because laziness leads to:

Ignorance (not knowing what Scripture says)

Deception (believing lies because you don’t know truth)

False confidence (thinking you’re saved when you’re not)

Lawlessness (operating in SELF instead of grace)

Missing the Harpazo (not watching, not ready)

Listen to what Jesus says in Matthew 25:1-13—the parable of the ten virgins:

Five were wise, five were foolish. All ten were waiting for the bridegroom. All ten had lamps.

But five ran out of oil.

Why? Because they weren’t paying attention. They weren’t prepared. They were lazy.

And when the bridegroom came, they weren’t ready.

Verse 11-12 ‘Later the other virgins also came, saying, “Lord, lord, open up for us.” But he answered, “Truly I say to you, I do not know you.”’

They missed the wedding feast.

Then Jesus says in verse 13: ‘Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.’

Be on the alert = WATCH. PAY ATTENTION. BE READY.

But lazy people don’t watch. They’re too busy building their kingdoms of SELF.

And when Jesus comes—whether at death or at the Harpazo—they’re caught off guard.

2 Peter 3:10 ‘But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.’

Like a thief—unexpected for those not watching.

1 Thessalonians 5:2-4‘For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief.’

Those in darkness = caught off guard.

Those in light = watching, ready.

How do you stay in the light? By knowing God’s Word.

But lazy people stay in darkness because they won’t do the work of reading.

And darkness is deadly.”

The Solution—Die to SELF, Live by Grace

Tom asked, “Okay, David. You’ve told us the problem. What’s the solution?”

David smiled. “The solution is simple. Beautifully, terrifyingly simple.

Die to SELF. Live by grace.

That’s it.

Not ‘try harder.’ Not ‘do more.’ Not ‘be better.’

Die.

Romans 6:6 ‘knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin.’

Old self crucified.

Colossians 3:3 ‘For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.’

You have died.

Not ‘you should die.’ Not ‘you need to die.’ You HAVE died—in Christ.

It’s already done. Now live like it’s true.

What does that look like?

Stop defending yourself. (SELF wants to be defended)

Stop promoting yourself. (SELF wants to be promoted)

Stop protecting your reputation. (SELF cares about reputation)

Stop trying to control outcomes. (SELF wants control)

Stop working to earn God’s favor. (SELF wants credit)

Instead:

Receive grace.
Rest in peace.
Trust in truth.
Let God be God.

Psalm 46:10 ‘Cease striving and know that I am God.’

Cease striving = STOP. Be still. Let go.

Matthew 11:28-30 ‘Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.’

REST. Not striving. Not performing. REST.

Because when SELF is dead, there’s nothing left to defend, promote, protect, or prove.

There’s only grace.

And grace is enough. Grace is sufficient. Grace is abundant. Grace is eternal.

Grace is God Himself given to you.”

Receiving the Kingdom as a Child

Frank asked, “David, you keep saying we have to become like children. What does that mean practically?”

David nodded. “Jesus said it Himself in Matthew 18:3:

‘Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.’

Unless you become like children—you will NOT enter.

Not ‘might not.’ WILL NOT.

What does it mean to be like a child?

A child:

Trusts without needing to understand (they don’t demand explanations)

Receives without questioning whether they deserve it (they just take the gift)

Depends completely on the parent (they can’t provide for themselves)

Has no reputation to protect (they don’t care what others think)

Lives in the present (not anxious about tomorrow)

Loves freely (no walls, no guards)

Has NO SELF-SUFFICIENCY (they know they need their parent)

That’s what grace requires—complete dependence.

Not partial dependence where you still try to help God along.

Complete. Total. Absolute.

Like a nursing infant depends on its mother. It can’t feed itself. It can’t clothe itself. It can’t survive without her.

That’s how we’re supposed to relate to God.

1 Peter 2:2 ‘like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.’

Newborn babies. Completely dependent.

But SELF hates this. SELF wants to be independent, self-sufficient, in control.

That’s why SELF must die.

Because as long as SELF is alive, you’ll never receive the Kingdom like a child.

You’ll be like the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-22—moral, religious, obedient to the law, but unable to let go of his wealth (his SELF-sufficiency).

And Jesus will say the same thing He said to him:

Mark 10:21 ‘Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”’

Sell ALL. Give up ALL. Come follow Me.

And the young ruler went away grieved because he had great wealth.

He couldn’t die to SELF.

Don’t be like him, Tom. Don’t be like the rich young ruler.

Be like a child. Receive the Kingdom as pure gift. By grace.”

Living Without Shame or Condemnation

Martha spoke again, tears streaming down her face. “David, I have so much shame from my past. So much failure. How do I live by grace when I feel like I don’t deserve it?”

David’s voice was gentle. “Martha, that’s the entire point of grace. You DON’T deserve it. None of us do.

Romans 3:23 ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’

ALL. Every single one.

Romans 3:10‘There is none righteous, not even one.’

None. Zero.

If grace depended on you deserving it, it wouldn’t be grace.

But here’s the good news—the GOSPEL:

Romans 8:1 ‘Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’

NO condemnation. None. Zero.

Not ‘a little condemnation.’ Not ‘condemnation on bad days.’

NO condemnation.

Why? Because Jesus took ALL your condemnation on the cross.

2 Corinthians 5:21 ‘He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.’

Jesus became your sin. You became His righteousness.

It’s an exchange. A substitution. Your sin for His righteousness.

And it’s done. Finished. Complete.

John 19:30 ‘Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.’

IT IS FINISHED.

Not ‘it will be finished when you get your act together.’

Not ‘it will be finished when you stop sinning.’

Not ‘it will be finished when you deserve it.’

IT IS FINISHED—past tense, completed, done.

So Martha, your shame is not from God.

Romans 8:33-34 ‘Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.’

Who condemns? NO ONE.

Not God. Not Jesus. Not the Holy Spirit.

If you’re feeling condemnation, it’s from:

Satan (the accuser—Revelation 12:10)
Yourself (SELF trying to earn salvation)
Others (people who don’t understand grace)

But not from God.

Hebrews 10:17 ‘AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE.’

He doesn’t remember your sins. Why should you?

1 John 1:9 ‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’

ALL unrighteousness. Completely cleansed.

Martha, you said you don’t deserve grace.

You’re right. You don’t.

And that’s exactly why it’s called GRACE.

Receive it. Rest in it. Let go of shame. Let go of condemnation.

Live in the freedom that Christ purchased for you.”

THE Grace Awakening

THE Grace Awakening Study Guide

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