As a Christian I can look back on my life and remember a time (age 11) when I knew that I was a sinner and could never be good enough for God. Jesus Christ came and paid the price for my sins (all of them) and all I had to do was accept His free gift of salvation--believe that He died for my sins and was raised from the dead. For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Grace - unmerited/undeserved favor. I'm familiar with the word but it is hard to grasp in this day and age. We all think we "deserve" to be treated better, better job, better life, etc. Your marriage isn't working--that's ok get a divorce and start over. I don't mean to step on toes here but basically we have been living in an era of entitlement. The fact of the matter is we don't deserve the freedom we have, the great job, home, etc. All of these are given to us by God--EVERYTHING. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 God never promised a dream job, a marriage, children, etc. What He did say is that He came to give us abundant life. John 10:10 and that He would never leave or forsake us. Deuteronomy 31:6
Each day I have an opportunity to live under grace. I have recently come to the revelation that I chose to live under the law not grace. I have a messy life--I hold onto my past failures, disappointments, etc. If I've repented of my past sin (whatever that may be) then God has forgiven me and according to His Word "As far as the east is from the west,so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12 I know this verse very well and believe it with all my heart. However, I somehow manage to try to 'clean up' my act before going to God. Honestly, I know it's absurd but in my sinful nature that's what I do. I heard a message recently about me (and you) being a holy priesthood. Wow! Through Christ Jesus we are--the sin nature is still there but we are a new creation and should live it out. We are more than conquerors! Romans 8:3
The law was established to help us understand sin and what was right. If there were no law we would not know we were sinning and separated from God. Grace is God's solution to bringing an unholy people into a right (holy) relationship with Him. May you remember to live under grace and not the law daily.
