Grace or Control?
Grace or Control?
Grade your grace.
Do you trust God with people—or do you need to stay in control?
Letting go feels risky. It means stepping into the unknown.
But it’s in that unknown where we most deeply encounter God—and His grace.
Control tries to fix, manage, and correct others.
Grace releases them.
“Let each person be fully convinced in their own mind.” — Romans 14:5
You can’t change hearts. Only God can.
Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” — 1 Cor. 3:6
We may influence behavior, but we can’t produce true transformation.
A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.
Ask yourself:
Can I release others to God?
Or do I always need the last word?
Strong Blessings,
Cedric
Traditionalwriter@yahoo.com
#GraceOverControl #LetGodWork #FaithOverForce #CedricWrites
Grade your grace.
Do you trust God with people—or do you need to stay in control?
Letting go feels risky. It means stepping into the unknown.
But it’s in that unknown where we most deeply encounter God—and His grace.
Control tries to fix, manage, and correct others.
Grace releases them.
“Let each person be fully convinced in their own mind.” — Romans 14:5
You can’t change hearts. Only God can.
Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” — 1 Cor. 3:6
We may influence behavior, but we can’t produce true transformation.
A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.
Ask yourself:
Can I release others to God?
Or do I always need the last word?
Strong Blessings,
Cedric
Traditionalwriter@yahoo.com
#GraceOverControl #LetGodWork #FaithOverForce #CedricWrites
Recent
Archive
2026
January
One of the Best Things to Have in LifeGood New YorkerGood ShepherdCan I Be Angry?Bottom-Up & Top-DownDesire Reveals DesignOne of My Favorite Verses in the Old TestamentStanding or KneelingAre We Trapped in Privilege?Love That Refuses to Let GoSweet SpotThrone RoomBlinded and BlessedYou Can’t QuitNeed a Little Motivation?When Mercy Has the Last WordMercy Is Your Best DefenseThe Fight of FormationThe God Who Gives God AwayWhen God’s Time Meets Your TimeGod’s Overwhelming GenerosityTeach Us to Use Our Time WellSomething Is Wrong with EverythingGrace Is Easy to MissShow People Your Skills Before Your NeedsFailure Doesn’t Happen OvernightLonging for Things to Be Good Again?
February
God’s Overwhelming GenerosityLove Is Not LawlessWhat You Really Want from GodPlaying God?God Is Not Disappointed With YouGrace With GearsPlaying God?Will to LiveA God Who Pursues, Not PunishesGrace or Control? The Greatest Trap Isn't What You ThinkYour biggest fear might be your biggest opportunity CopyEnter God’s Rest — The Golden Key Rise Above the Basement VoicesGet Out of Grace’s WayPainful but Profitable
March
I Know You’re Hungry for SomethingHow Much Longer?I Know You’re Hungry for SomethingUse Your EdgeWhy Don’t People Finish Life Well?Get It DoneWhy Did This Happen to Me?Balcony or Basement People?Life Is Short. Live.Run Through the TapeThe Golden HourFinal Reflections from the RoadKeep It PositiveTrying to Make Sense of It All
April
2025
July
A God Who Pursues, Not PunishesStop Giving Yourself a PassWelcome to the Broken & Messy Christian ClubStitched Together ClothesGrace or Control?The Greatest Trap Isn't What You ThinkSurround Yourself with Good PeopleWhen Work Feels EmptyChristians Are a Mess—Before and AfterDidn't Have a Clue of What Grace WasGreat at Receiving Grace—but Poor at Giving It?Are You Standing in the Way of Grace?Still Playing the Old Game?A New Beginning Starts HereAfter SixtyJesus’ Rhythm: A Life Worth ImitatingDeserts: Where God Does His Deepest WorkSeeing the Whole Field: Trusting God in Suffering
Categories
no categories
2 Comments
This is so timely and fitting for me… I struggle with letting go and letting God. He can and will always do for me what I cannot do for myself if I’d just let Him! Thank Pastor Finley for this wonderful reminder!
This was awesome! Dr.Finley always delivers a timely word!