Grace - 1
Do not be carried about with various strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace….. Hebrews 13:9
There is something within our human nature that wants to find ways to achieve success by following a formula. Books abound on subjects such as “Ten Steps to Financial Breakthrough”, “Seven Days to a More Youthful You”, “Four Rules for Successful Weight Loss” and so on and on and on! Christians too can get caught up in rules and regulations that seem good and right. They make us feel good because we have accomplished something, but they don’t impress God at all. In fact Proverbs 16:25 says that “there is a way that seems right to a man but it ends in death.”
Yes, God set many rules and regulations in place under the old covenant, but these were to show us that we needed a better way.
Rules and regulations bound mankind to an endless round of sacrificial works that were necessary to keep his relationship open with God until the time came for Him to provide a better way, the perfect and final sacrifice – Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Now we live under the new covenant of grace. And if you want a formula it is found in Ephesians 2:8-9”For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast.” Right there lies the reason why grace is what establishes us in relationship with God. Works cause us to boast in what we have done. God wants us only to boast in what Jesus has done. It is not by our good works, or just by the fact that we have not done evil, but it is by the mercy of God that we are saved. (Titus 3:5).
It is not only good, but it is vital, that our hearts be established by grace. When we stand before the throne of God we will never be able to say “This is what I did for you God” or “I have lived a good life and I never did anyone any harm.” He only wants to hear us say “Thank you for what You have done for me through Jesus Christ.” Yes it goes against everything in us to stand empty handed but that is the only way that will work for God, and He is the One who has the final say!
Yes, we must lead a life that is honouring to Him, yes we must do good works because faith without works is dead faith (James 2:26), but ultimately it is not our works, but our faith in God’s gift of grace that is our entry to eternal life.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, deliver me from the desire to earn my way into your favour by keeping rules and regulations and doing good works. Keep reminding me that your grace is all that I need. Thank you for your gift of grace. Amen.
Do not be carried about with various strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace….. Hebrews 13:9
There is something within our human nature that wants to find ways to achieve success by following a formula. Books abound on subjects such as “Ten Steps to Financial Breakthrough”, “Seven Days to a More Youthful You”, “Four Rules for Successful Weight Loss” and so on and on and on! Christians too can get caught up in rules and regulations that seem good and right. They make us feel good because we have accomplished something, but they don’t impress God at all. In fact Proverbs 16:25 says that “there is a way that seems right to a man but it ends in death.”
Yes, God set many rules and regulations in place under the old covenant, but these were to show us that we needed a better way.
Rules and regulations bound mankind to an endless round of sacrificial works that were necessary to keep his relationship open with God until the time came for Him to provide a better way, the perfect and final sacrifice – Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Now we live under the new covenant of grace. And if you want a formula it is found in Ephesians 2:8-9”For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast.” Right there lies the reason why grace is what establishes us in relationship with God. Works cause us to boast in what we have done. God wants us only to boast in what Jesus has done. It is not by our good works, or just by the fact that we have not done evil, but it is by the mercy of God that we are saved. (Titus 3:5).
It is not only good, but it is vital, that our hearts be established by grace. When we stand before the throne of God we will never be able to say “This is what I did for you God” or “I have lived a good life and I never did anyone any harm.” He only wants to hear us say “Thank you for what You have done for me through Jesus Christ.” Yes it goes against everything in us to stand empty handed but that is the only way that will work for God, and He is the One who has the final say!
Yes, we must lead a life that is honouring to Him, yes we must do good works because faith without works is dead faith (James 2:26), but ultimately it is not our works, but our faith in God’s gift of grace that is our entry to eternal life.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, deliver me from the desire to earn my way into your favour by keeping rules and regulations and doing good works. Keep reminding me that your grace is all that I need. Thank you for your gift of grace. Amen.
posted by Daydrops For You at
1:55 AM
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