So that the coming ages he migh show the immeasurable rihes of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2: 7-8
Have you ever done a what if scenerio? I am going to tell a little story! You may have personal experience something like this or know of someone. Here we Go!
The was this person who was killed through some random act of violence. IF the father were to track down the killer and kill him that would be vengeance. However, if the father would call he police and the killer was arrested, tried, convicted, and executed, this would be called justice. What if though at the trial, the father were to plead for the guilty man’s life to be spared and the judge and jury were to consent. This is mercy. What if, in the father went further though, and plead to the judge to release the offender into his custody and care. What if, miraculously gaing the court’s approval, the father were to take that person into his heart and home, adopt him, and love him as his own child. This would be grace.
Grace bring joy to the heart of a follower of Christ. Grace is a free gift from God to those who sinned against Him and deserve only His wrath. Grace is how we meet His requirements and to face the difficulties of life. Read Ephesians 2:1-9. This is a wonderful display of God’s grace seen in our salvation.
Go ahead and hight key words and phrases in these verses that describe our condition apart from the grace of God. Until we become recipients of God’s grace, our situation is desperate. We have no hope. We have no possiblity of overcoming sin. We don’t have a right relationship with God. However, God had a purpose and a plan. What was His intervention?
Our sinful condition is what seperates us from God. We can’t apologize for our sin and think that our relationship with God is ok. WE are guilty and condemned. However, where there is God, there is grace, and where there is grace, there is a pardon for our sin. We couldn’t do this on our own, it had to come from God. God satisfied His own vengeance, met his demands, justice, and extended grace, all from the cross. All you beleive and repent are adopted by Him. This is extravagant love ad grace of God.
Grace is not given as a reward for anything we could do to merit it. When we explore daily the riches of God’s grace, in our salvation and santification (continuing renewal of God in us, the continual way of learning and obeying God) God’s grace is always a gift the is undeserving.
Do you want to accept God’s gift of salvation? Take this moment and talk to God. Ask him to be you Lord and savior. Ask him to forgive you of your sin. Then live for him daily. Find a church that will help you to grow and learn all about God.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the grace you give to us daily. I pray that we will not take it for granted. I pray that will not think we have to earn it, but be obedient to you holy ways.
In Jesus Name
Amen
