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Climbing up to God

Written by Peter Youngren on July 14, 2010

Article for St Catharines Standard newspaper by Peter Youngren.

What is God’s love? Many think of it as a big strong rope, a lifeline that God dropped down from heaven, and now we have the privilege of trying to climb it. In other words, God sent Jesus because of His love, and now that He has done His part, the rest is up to us. God has thrown us a rope and now we need to climb ever closer to Him.  There are many Christian books that tell you how to climb faster, higher, and with greater success.  Many study such books, underline them and then get on with the task of holding on to the rope and clawing ourselves upward to God.

That’s when the trouble starts. By the time you’ve climbed about a tenth of the way up, you realize, “I’m exhausted, I’ll never get to the top”, so you start going down. As you descend you notice there are others passing you on the same rope; they’re on their way up, you’re on your way down. As you descend they ask, “Can we pray for you?”, or they may offer, “Have you read the latest book, ‘Seven Keys to Reach God’?” Finally you get to the bottom and after a time of rest, you try another religious climb. This time, some of the folks you met on your way down, you now meet again, only this time they are descending. This is how many live; up and down, down and up, in a never-ending effort to get to God.

People deal with themselves and their problems trying to shape themselves into persons more acceptable to God. The problem is that if we successfully remake ourselves, then the remade version isn’t any better than the old, at least not from God’s point of view. The new you that you have created may know a little bit more about how to win friends, how to be a leader and how to think positively, but inwardly you remain the same.
Yes, many think that the message of grace from God is a rope you have to pull yourself up by, that Jesus is a rope of hope for lost humanity, and now you have to do your best to climb.

If you have been caught in this dilemma, I have good news for you. The christian life is grace from start to finish. It is 100% God’s unmerited favor to you. God initiated it, God made is possible, and God is at work in you to complete it. Only God in us is able to live the life we are supposed to live. God has not met 50% of our need by grace, and then it’s up to us to make up the other 50% by efforts, discipline and good works. One popular song says “I take one step and God takes two”. That puts the ratio of God’s effort at about double ours, but still we are good for about one third of the requirements. This is an awful trap. It takes the joy out of life. To think that “God saved me and forgave me, but now the rest is up to me”, makes for a very disappointing life. Have you tried to be perfect and holy? Good luck! Those virtues are only obtained by someone else living through you; Jesus, the holy one.

What role do we play? Only one; to be willing. God doesn’t cause anything to happen in us that we don’t want to happen. God never overrules or violates your will. Instead, He loves you, embraces your will and draws it to Himself. He never overrides it. For some that is a terrible blow to their ego. To think that the only part we play in God’s plan is willingness. There is no rope to climb, no effort that we can take credit for. Instead there is a new life that can be received by anyone who is willing. Paul, who had been full of murder, hatred and religious bigotry, received that life and wrote, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).
-Peter


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Comments:

Aneht
~ Stockholm, Sweden

Wonderful..love that…it’s how it should be…I nearly never heard that in the church or in meetings before but now I hear the message of grace more and more here in Sweden, that’s good..

Nehemiah
~ Nairobi, Kenya

God Bless Peter Youngren

Mangaraj
~ Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

This is really interesting for each and everyone in the world. The way you express your words is really remarkable.

Eric
~ Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Preach it, brother! There is only one way to God, and that is through the person of Jesus Christ! We can’t make things happen on our own, but we can rest in the One who did make it happen, almost 2,000 years ago! Oh praise His name forever! Thank you, Jesus!

Carolina
~ Sverige, Sweden

Tack!
Underbara ord! De var till mig:)
Hoppas de kommer på Svenska sedan.
Carolina

Thanks!
Wonderful words! They were to me:)
I hope they will at Swedish go.
Carolina

Susan
~ Calera, Alabama, United States

Thank you so much for that inspiring word during this time in my life. I really needed to hear that today.
I am inspired and stand in awe at how God reaches us everyday.

Riley
~ Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Awesome!

Betty
~ Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada

Hi Peter met you in Fredericton NB last year and have partnered with you for 20 yrs
Yes thank you for his food. i will think that verse. Not I who lives but Christ who lives in me…

Josiebel
~ Toronto, Ontario, Canada

great message! thank very much

Jon
~ Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Dear PETER:
Thank you for this insightful message. It is refreshing to read a piece so clearly defining a belief pattern so many of us have been confronted with so many times throughout our daily lives and one that also sheds much light on the TRUTH. If there is no JOY then we are on the ROPE!
Blessings,
JON

Marcella
~ Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Thank you for that word. Even though I have been a Christian for years I have felt that I had to be perfect. I am learning that only ” One” is perfect, Jesus. Thank You Lord for Your grace and Your mercy and
I thank God that when I question , He always sends someone with the answer. God Bless You!!

Guillermina
~ Toronto, Ontario, Canada

I don’t relate to your comment, because my own experience in my relationship with Jesus began in a religion (catholic). I wasn’t trying to be better, I just told him I wanted to serve him not as a nun but how he showed me and He took me some years later to the next step receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the Charismatic Movement and began reading the Bible as 1 Pe. 2:2 growing in the knowledge of God to renew my mind. He is the One who enables us to live by grace but if we don’t grow in the knowledge of Him and His Word we are not able to do it. We all receive a measure of faith when we are born again but is our responsibility to grow in that faith by reading and studying the Bible Rom 10;17.

samir
~ bhubaneswar,orissa,india

Really it what God’s Plan and work for all…I’ pray to God that let God Open the heart of millions of people so that they will understand the presence of God in their respective life

Michael
~ Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada

My dear brother, preach it. Manytimes I am caught up in that situation. Trying to sort out my life by climbing a rope. It is only by grace. Having started in spirit I end up by trying to please God by works and doing good. What a foolish person I am! Having started by Grace I end up in flesh. Your massage is refreshing and has made me go back to the starting point - Grace, unmerited favor.

Ray
~ Norway

When we are born again we are babies, and babies are not able to climb ropes! Our Father will lift his Son and Daughter over his head to show the world how beautiful they are, and have a proud, loving smile on His face while doing just that!

Pastor Ben
~ Nakuru,Kenya

Thank you so much man of God.This is a great encouragement,the Lord Almighty bless you so much.

Benjamin
~ Kasoa,CENTRAL REGION

Your message has healed me.God bless you.

Aura
~ Mississauga

Why do bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people? I’m confused!

Sandi
~ Hobson, Montana

Thanks, I really needed that today! Praise the Lord for He is good!

Bobbie
~ Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Thank you so much Peter for this very timely message, it seems much of what God is putting on my heart, God seems to speak through you and ministry at the very time to confirm much of what He is speaking. 
Bless you Peter.

Theresa
~ PE, Canada

Philippians 2:13 (New King James Version)
13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
This is a truth I have learned to stand on! I declare this scripture over you Peter and your ministry, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Numbers 6:24-26 (New King James Version)
24 “The LORD bless you and keep you;
25 The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you;
26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’

France
~ Cornwall,ontario

thank you Peter, it is good to hear the thruth about the LOVE of GOD,to be remerber of HIS truh nature, when we give God the autority to chow us the truth Chow me if it truht DADY EVENLY FATHER or GOD or JESUS ,GOD never fail us HE is BIG ENNOF ,HE is SOUVERIN HE is well able to talk to us, did HE not give us JESUS for our forgiveness with out our permission YES HE DID YES we can conth on HIM to do the work in us ,GOD OUR FATHER as already provind Jesus for me even befor i know Jesus ,I learn to say Father show me if it is truht it is by your HOLY SPIRIT YOU revill You said well it YOUR job not mind I wait for You it Your responsability thank YOU Jesus for that peace not by my might but BY YOUR SPIRIT     LOVE GOD

Stephen
~ Bhubaneswar, India

Peter, Carry the torch of love and grace, wherever you go, even upto the end of the world.  My prayers are with you.  God bless.
Stephen.

Hagere
~ Toronto Ontario

Christians ( especially those who are in so called ” Grace movement” ) who are also professing that “God Is LOVE” how come they don’t show the least amount of respect to their fellow grace junkies?  I mean after all, God treats us with respect and dignity because of Christ. Correct?  Why not show the same respect towards our fellow human beings?  Especially the once that don’t embrace the so called” the message of Grace” as we do?  ” Oh don’t say that ” you are putting me under bondage again and I’m free to be my self” ..... Is this what the Grace of God all about.? ( flaunting our pitiful ” knowledge of doctrines and dogmas and humiliating, belittling our fellow men and women ) ? It is amazing!
It appears that, people treat others the way they think God is treating them.Hence, people who disrespect and humiliate others, on public forums and facebook pages etc, I think they do have an image of mean, angry, evil and sadistic God.  Doesn’t matter how much they know the doctrine of Grace,  the truth of the matter is they don’t know the DOCTOR of Grace
Offcourse,  they know every doctrines, dogmas,hermeneutics. and ALL the mysteries of theology in the Universe. BUT, Is knowing ALL mystery   and experiencing His Life,are they the same? Knowledge puffs up LOVE edifies.  I think Christians are too busy in being Christians & religions therefore they have no time for Jesus. Religions tend to devolve to an “us vs. them” mentality.( “we are Grace People” *cough*  )
Religion is also an emotional issue and lots of people have a difficult time controlling their emotions (and their mouths). Haven’t we as people got past the ridiculous bickering?
Peace to all

Cornelius
~ Nairobi, Kenya, Africa

This is a wonderful explanation have increased in what i thought of this grace.

Steven
~ Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada

God is good and holy. I love his grace, mercy and love. But we should never be decieved believing that once saved always saved by grace. If we commit sins of the flesh and turn our hearts from Jesus we will no longer be saved unless we repent. Jesus did everything for our salvation, he paid such a great cost that we should never believe that we could live for the devil and go to heaven. People need to really comprehend what our creator has done, he gave up heaven to become our sacrifice, and when he was finished he’s interceeding for us to the Father, so that we can make into the kingdom…....remember we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling, not by living as sinners.

Dominic
~ Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Dear Pastor,
This “rope” analogy probably comes from the fable of “Jack and the Beanstalk”. There is certainly no such rope mentioned in the bible (I searched KJV, and NIV).
He is the vine, we are the branches. (Jhn 15:5) Vines can climb, but branches are just along for the ride.
The only way to move a branch along a vine is to cut it off and graft it in elsewhere. Only God himself could do this (Rom 11:17-24). I would not want to be cut off for even a second.
I cling to him, even while dangling over an abyss of uncertainty (or open water). I cling to him like a branch clinging to a vine and I am snatched up from any danger.
That is all a branch has to do. Leave the climbing to the vine.

Ben
~ Nakuru, Kenya, Africa

Man of God, you have been such an encouragement,such an inspiration and such a blessing to me and my ministry.
Your boldness and insight of the scriptures has impacted my life and ministry in a very great way.
I thank God so much for you for allowing God to use you in touching millions of lives around the globe.May God strengthen and keep opening more doors for you.
Shalom and Grace to you.

Hagere
~ Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Steven and Dominic I disagree.
Scriptures that you quoting Pastor Peter have already read and considered..
You miss the point. God is LOVE. His Love is immeasurable…I think as far “eternal hell ” or future judgement goes EVERYONE is REDEEMED… but, Salvation is not only from eternal hell as tradition Christianity has taught us… Christ’s finished work on the Cross redeemed EVRYONE . Redemption is an accomplished fact for ALL. but,  there is a salvation that takes place the moment we believe in what Christ did for us to redeem us. The more we grow in that understanding the more our minds are liberated & transformed & therefore the salvation process continues. Doesn’t end at one event. it is progressive. The Point here is our Triune God is LOVE!!!
Be free…

James
~ Toronto, Ontario, Canada

This short letter reminds me of a story Jesus spoke in parable to many. He said there were two sons one was willing the other not so willing. Yet in the end of the story the willing son did not do as he was willing but the not so willing son went and did what he was not so willing to do. I guess the real issue of faith rest in the response to ones will to Christ. Faith without works, is it really faith? Grace without life, is it really grace. Jesus without love not only for others but for God, is it really love for Jesus if we deny Him in our acts? I know grace is not works but I also know that Grace has works. what son will you be a willing son who is not only willing but applies his will or a son who is willing yet denies his will, The choice is yours? And the eternity is free for you but costs much for Jesus make a choice to obtain God’s love and live for Jesus in your willingness!!! - 2Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

Dean
~ Gainesville, Florida, USA

Great word.  We can’t shout the Grace message (for He is the complete message of Grace & Truth) loud or long enough.

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