"Grace is opposed to earning not, not to effort. And it is well-directed, decisive and sustained effort that is the key to the keys of the Kingdom and to the life of restful power in ministry and life that those keys open to us."
For a vast majority of people I believe the effort is lacking.
Willard mentions three practices that are helpful to Christians in understanding God's purpose for Sabbath rest:
- Solitude - helps to break the power of busyness, haste, isolation and loneliness. It gives an anchor for your soul.
- Silence - A pastor wrote - "As I have slowed my life down through silence and solitude, I have discovered both the wickedness hidden by a hurried life as well as the wonder and delight my Father has in me."
- Fasting - Done so that we might experience the direct sustenance of God to our body and our whole person.
The lack of spiritual disciplines and effort in today's Christian community keep God distant from us even as God seeks to be near. Effort has nothing to do with earning salvation, but has everything to do with living in that salvation.
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