While in the United States recently, I noticed a change in how people drive. Previously, when entering a highway, you would slow down and yield before merging into traffic. This has changed. Now, the one on the freeway must be alert because the cars entering are coming full speed ahead, barging into traffic.
The yield signs are still there. The interpretation of who needs to yield has changed.
Why would cars yield? Drivers were taught to slow down, check for danger, and proceed with caution.
Perhaps in a small way this reflects our cultural shift. We view our ability to change ourselves as the most powerful force. If only we try harder and make better decisions. It is up to us, not the traffic laws whether we yield. This shift carries into our Christian walk as well.
Paul tells us in Romans 6:13 to yield to righteousness, or to grace
“Neither yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
We are to yield to God; to grace and righteousness and not to sin.
How often in our battle with sin and unrighteousness do we barge straight ahead in our own strength without slowing down to consider the danger? We may even attempt to accelerate or try harder.
What does it look like to yield to grace?
Slow down. Yielding is not stopping. So often we think we must stop all we are doing. As if God only speaks when we are stopped. Growth comes as we live our lives. We do not merely reach toward heaven expecting change in an instant, rather we walk and little by little see growth.
We have a part in this. Yielding to grace does not negate choice. The choice is ours. We choose to walk in sin, go it our own way of self, or yield to God’s Presence actively working in our lives, helping us live the Christian life.
Check for danger. Identify pitfalls and temptation. Surround yourself with others to point out blind spots and keep us accountable.
Proceed with caution. Move. God can steer a moving vessel. Don’t walk in fear and trepidation of potential failure around every corner. The grace filled life is meant to be enjoyed. Jesus came to give us life abundantly.
Do we yield to sin or self? Or is grace what we yield to through our seeking God as we walk daily with Him?
Choosing sin or self will eventually lead to crash and burn in our lives.
Let’s liken yielding to partnership, a journey, or to use Paul’s term in Ephesians, a walk.
So here is our definition of yielding to grace…
Walk in partnership with Grace. Since grace is Jesus personified, that sounds like a pretty good picture of Christianity.
photo credit: Lori Greig via photopin cc