Breakthrough

True and lasting breakthrough doesn't originate with us. It is not us pushing through something to get to something. True, powerful, and lasting breakthrough originates with God and ends up in us; it is when God lights our darkness, opens our eyes, and breaks through to our heart. Paul's breakthrough came when Jesus revealed the great truth to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you." Gideon's breakthrough happened when the Lord assigned Gideon's identity and then showed himself great. Personally, my breakthroughs have come when the Lord walked into my dark closet, turned the light on, and that light slowly filled the room, bringing truth that set me free - free indeed.

Freedom can be viewed from at least two perspectives. One is freedom of justification, when one is declared free from the consequences of their crime. This is when we, as believers, are declared not guilty: blessed is the man whose sins have been forgiven. ¹ There is also the freedom we find in practice. This occurs as we walk out of our prison cell and find the chains of bondage falling off of us so that our sin no longer masters us. This is one of the goals of sanctification in our lives. It is for freedom that we've been set free. ² Both of these form the "free indeed" that Jesus talked about, and both of these originate from him alone.

In the covenant of the law, we find the whole responsibility of relationship with God placed squarely on the resources and efforts of man. In the new covenant of promise we find the responsibility of relationship originating with God. God loved the world in this way: he sent his only begotten Son. ³ We see a shift here from our works to his work, from pattern to person, from shadow to substance. And Jesus is the person, the substance.

To say that freedom originates from our efforts or is largely dependent on them is unhealthy and can lead to arrogance and self-righteousness. Can a drowning man save himself? Once rescued and set free by Christ, shall we finish his work? What he began in the Spirit shall we finish by means of our own strength and valor? ⁴

Yet it is through faith and patience that we obtain the sure promises of God. Patience requires waiting. So, there are simply times that we must wait, not for our breakthrough but for our Lord, for our breakthrough is not our Lord. (We must be careful to avoid the pitfall of Gideon - the idolization of victory.) ⁵ Yes, wait patiently for the Lord, take heart, be strong. He is your light and your salvation, and may I add, your breakthrough.

Scripture References

¹ “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” (Romans 4:7-8)

² It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. (Galatians 5:1)

³ For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

⁴ Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? (Galatians 3:3)

⁵ Judges 8:22-27