"Accepting Grace"

We seem to have a great difficulty at grasping hold of grace. The free gift of God that is not earned, that is not worked, that saves us and that only flows from the blood of His Son Jesus the Lord! We can define grace as God's unmerited favor but what does that really mean? We need some serious thought and study on that level.

Too many think that their salvation depends on codes, rules, regulations, laws and 'pat answers to all situations.' Is that not trying to earn? What if we miss something or don't understand a teaching correctly? The Pharisees are great illustrations as to how they "worked" their relationship and right standing with the Lord. They were keepers of God's law but the problem is law keeping demands perfection. They still thought they were saved by possessing Scripture and keeping all the laws therein (John 5:39).

The grace of God reaches us and asks us to humble ourselves, to be honest with God and ourselves and allow Him to change us into the image of His Son. We are very poor at changing ourselves or thinking that because we follow some commands that the Lord will accept us eternally. Just look closely at Abraham and Sarah. They planned their idea of how they would have a son and what happened? Ishmael was born! If we try to keep codes and rules thinking that is what makes us right, all we will produce is a lot of "Ismael's". Eternal salvation is not for those who think the are good and right but for those who have failed, faltered and created such heartache in their sinfulness that only by the grace of God will they find release and forgiveness. The grace of God did not come cheaply! Our salvation through the grace of God came in the form of a cross in which righteousness dwelt! Look at Jesus. We aren't 'paroled' in Jesus, we are completely pardoned by His blood and that's God's grace reaching each of us. God was not just 'winking' sin away. He was paying our price by striking down the perfect, sinless sacrifice on our behalf. Jesus paid it all and all to Him I owe! Do we believe that?