THE POWER OF YOUR BELIEFS
                        by Gerald Vaillancourt

     As Christians, when we hear about the power of believing, we usually
think about miracles, healings and that type of manifestations. But let's
talk about the things that Christians believe in their heart and how that
directly affects their ability to become more like Jesus. Almost all
believers truly desire to have the fruit of the Spirit in their lives,
such as love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness,
faithfulness, meekness and self-control. And many are indeed trying very
hard to walk in these character traits. But, whether we are truly
successful or not in doing so, depends on the following criteria
concerning the very essence of the Gospel. As Christians, what we believe
in our hearts (not just our doctrines) about the issue of righteousness
will determine whether we will walk in our own ability to love others, or
whether God's grace (ability) will bring us outside the limited boundaries
of our own strength and love. 

     When we make righteousness a standard of conduct and a level of
religious performance (good deeds, ministry, gifts, church size,
positions, etc..), in doing so we have put ourselves under law for
righteousness (Rom.3:21,Rom.9:31-32), and in the process, we limit our
love walk to our own ability. And without realizing it, we begin to make
self-righteous decisions as to whom "deserves"  our love.  In other words,
we end-up walking within the restricted confines of our own ignorance of
God's unconditional love towards us. It is unavoidable that those who
believe in a judgemental God toward themselves based on their performance
(level of doing good, involvement in religious activities, etc...) will
find themselves incapable of loving others beyond the bounds of their
religious standards and expectations. 

     And it is for the preceding reasons that many Christians find
themselves incapable of applying forgiveness toward fellow Christians,
while others seem to think that only certain categories of sin are
forgivable. But it's not that many are not making some effort in
exercising Christian love, by practicing the proper ethics of social
Christianity such as verbal greetings, handshakes and so forth. Like so
many Christians, I have often wondered why so many Christians find
themselves incapable of true heart-felt forgiveness and love, but the more
I've come to understand God's unconditional love and provisions of the
finished work of the cross for my own life, the more it becomes evident
that even as a Christian, you can only love others in accordance to what
you personally believe about His love toward you. 

     Although many claim to believe in God's love, mercy and grace, yet
the difference between a doctrinal stand and a heart-level belief is
always revealed by one's behavior toward others (aside from role-playing).
So next time you meet Christians who are still holding offences in their
heart, just remember that for all you know, they may be trying very hard
to be Christlike, but if what they believe (in their heart) about
righteousness is based on the works of the law (performance, deeds) , and
not the finished work of the cross, then don't be surprised to see no real
changes (perhaps for years), until their own heart start to become alive
to the issue of righteousness (Rom.1:16-17,Rom.5:17).  Even for those who
have come to understand and put their trust in the finished work of the
cross, establishing one's heart in God's grace and love takes many months,
even up to a year or two before it starts to become natural to truly give
unconditional love to others regardless of their flaws, past sins or lack
of performing according to our religious standards or doctrinal stands.
Only then can we start enjoying Christianity, as we learn to establish our
identity on the finished work of the cross, and trust in the righteousness
which is of faith, and from faith to faith (Rom.1:17).