Activate Please

Recently, I was required to renew the subscription for the Microsoft Office 365 that allows me to use all of the Microsoft programs. For several days past the time that I actually did the renewal, I would get a message that my subscription had expired and I must renew. For the first two days I assumed that the renewal process had not been completed and the payment posted to my account. I verified the email stating that the account had been renewed. On the third day I returned to that email and saw that there was a link at the bottom to “Manage Your Account”. When I clicked on this link I found that although the account was active and good for up to five computers, no computers had yet been set up. The price had been paid for all the benefits of Microsoft Office 365, yet none of these benefits had been applied to the computers for which they were intended.

A similar condition can apply in our spiritual lives. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has paid the debt for every sin that was ever committed and released grace for all that we would ever need in our lives. When we come to Jesus Christ with repentance we receive all that His sacrifice has provided. So why do we often act as though we have not received these benefits? Why do we strive instead of trust?

Scripture clearly tells us that we have everything we need to live a life that is pleasing to God. The apostle Peter greets believers in this manner. “May grace (God's favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity, and freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in [the full, personal, precise, and correct] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).” (2 Peter 1:2-3 AMP) An intimate knowledge of the character and teachings of Jesus is essential to accessing the power that has already been provided to us. We must first know what has been provided, before we can actually experience the provision to its fullest capacity.

First of all, we must truly understand and acknowledge that when we called upon the name of Jesus, we have been forgiven of all of our sin. The apostle Paul wrote this concerning Jesus. “Who was betrayed and put to death because of our misdeeds and was raised to secure our justification (our acquittal), [making our account balance and absolving us from all guilt before God].” (Romans 4:25 AMP) All guilt has been removed. There is nothing more that we can add to His perfect work. Once we know and understand this, we can stop trying to pay for our own failings, but rather put our faith in what Jesus has done. “Yet we know that a man is justified or reckoned righteous and in right standing with God not by works of the Law, but [only] through faith and [absolute] reliance on and adherence to and trust in Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). [Therefore] even we [ourselves] have believed on Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law [for we cannot be justified by any observance of the ritual of the Law given by Moses], because by keeping legal rituals and by works no human being can ever be justified (declared righteous and put in right standing with God).” (Galatians 2:16 AMP)

In addition to being truly forgiven for any sin we can commit, we have been given the power to face any trial that we face in life.  “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].” (Philippians 4:13 AMP) By believing His promises and following the voice of the Holy Spirit, we will overcome all obstacles.

We must learn to activate, in our own lives, all the blessings that have already been given to us. This occurs by learning the word of God, then placing our faith in it and walking in obedience by the power of the Holy Spirit. “Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ). [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.” (Philippians 2:12-13 AMP) God is calling us to activate His promises daily.

Once I clicked on the link and followed the directions to apply the new subscription to my computer, everything began to operate properly. I then pass this information on to my husband and son so that they could also update their computers. They also will be able to enjoy the benefits of this subscription for the next year.

Likewise, we must share the good news of the marvelous works Jesus Christ and all that He offers us. Other will then also be able to know Him and put their faith in Him and receive all that the Heavenly Father has intended.

Study and learn what has been made available to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As you learn, put your faith in Him and begin walking even more closely with Him and enjoy all the benefits that He has provided. Do not just hear the promises but live in them.