Consistent Grace

God calls us to live devoted, separated, and consistent lives. Romans 12:1&2 I beseech you, therefore, brethren by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

My husband and I met as teenagers, he was 18 and I was 15. For me it was “love at first sight”. The crazy thing is it wasn’t necessarily his looks that attracted me, (he is a handsome man) but, instead, I saw someone who needed what I had to offer. I had Jesus Christ in my heart and he did not. We started dating and the witnessing of Christ began, that was not your normal dating relationship, I know. We enjoyed each other and our friendship grew into a relationship. Even through consistent witnessing and prayer, he did not receive Christ or change his way of life. Due to a refusal to be involved with his lifestyle, many times I would get out of the car when he would start drinking. I had been raised in an alcoholic’s home and had no desire to live the rest of my life in this fashion. Many nights I would wait for him to pick me up for our date and he would not show due to being out with friends and partying. After about six months of this, I had had enough. It took my Dad saying one Friday night, “honey, you are too special for anyone to treat you this way”. “You are worth more than to be stood up”. “If he doesn’t respect you, you need to move on”.

Well, about midnight, he showed up at my bedroom window and tapped on it asking me to meet him outside. I went out on the front porch and, of course, he was drunk. He apologized for missing our date but reminded me how I would not allow him to drink with me around. I said that was fine but it was time for him to find someone else to be with. I explained that I was a child of the King (Jesus) and I deserved to be treated like one. I asked him to leave and to forget he ever met me. He reached out for me and I pushed him away and went back inside. I refused all of his attempts to call me or visit with me over the next few weeks.

God calls us to live different from the world and to take a stand against those who refuse Him. Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man (or woman) who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He(she) shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Early one Saturday morning, he came to my house. My mom answered the door and let him in. He told me he had come to see my Dad, not me. I asked him what he wanted with my dad and he replied, “I need to get saved”. My prayers had been answered. Praise the Lord! Needless to say, my dad was privileged to be able to lead him to the Lord that day. The change that took place in him was amazing. Through his consistent and faithful witness, his mother came to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. She told me one day that she could not get over how different he had become, she asked me if I knew what it was. I laughed and shared the Lord with her. She explained, “that’s why he’s been reading his Bible nightly and has quit cussing”. This was great news for a young girl in love to hear! Salvation comes to the household of those willing to live consistent, faithful lives. I am pleased to share that his whole family came to salvation over the next few years; his parents, his two brothers and then his maternal grandparents. God is truly amazing!

So, when you feel like you cannot make a difference in someone else’s life, think again. It starts with a young, sold out to Christ, teenage girl. A girl that was silly in love with a young man, but more importantly, silly in love with her Lord. By consistently sharing the love of Christ, you too CAN make a difference. When you deny the desires of self and accept your calling to reach the lost, God will bless with souls. Mark 9:34b “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. I urge you to continue reading Mark 9:35-38. You may never know the number or the individuals that will be reached through your consistent life of grace. It is not really important for us to know, but I am so thankful for God allowing me to witness this miracle of salvation. My husband and I have been married for over 32 years now. God blessed us with two children. The road has not always been paved with blessings, in fact, we have had many trials, but God has always remained our Consistent Grace!

Please know that I do not wish to make you think that I am without sin and lived a perfect life by the telling of this story. It is my simple trust in the Lord God to perform the same acts in others that He did in my life. Salvation by Grace! Ephesians 2:8-10 For by Grace are you saved through FAITH, and THAT NOT of yourselves, it is the GIFT of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

May God receive All Glory and All Praise.

Sherry Cozart