GRACE IS A DEMONSTRATION OF GOD’S LOVE FOR MANKIND!
BIBLE PASSAGE:
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of
anything we have done but because of His own purpose and
grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the
beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the
appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death
and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”
(2 Timothy 1:9-10)
MEDITATION:
We will only know the glory and blessings that God has
prepared for us when we know Jesus as our personal Savior
and Lord. Mankind was crowned with glory and charged
with guilt, because we have been born with a sinful nature.
However, we have been given the opportunity to be changed
as a result of the Lord’s grace.
“Grace” can be defined as
“a divine influence which is active in human beings to regenerate,
to sanctify (set apart), to inspire goodness, and to provide strength
for enduring trials and resisting temptation”.
A former pastor of mine reminded us often of the importance
and value of God’s grace.
Grace makes it possible for us to have new priorities, new attitudes,
new habits, new love toward others (and God), new goals, new joy,
new peace, new endurance, new tolerance, new forgiveness, etc. etc.
Through God’s grace, our minds can be renewed with a desire to
become righteous and good, instead of being overpowered by the
evilness around us.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then
you will be able to test and approve what God’s will
is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.
(Romans 12:2)
When we are saved, God doesn’t put us back like we were before we
surrendered to Him. It wouldn’t make sense for Him to do that, or
for Him to allow that to happen. No, He elevates us to a new mindset
so that we can fellowship with Him, and have a new and healthier type
of relationship with others.
Why would God do that? It’s a demonstration of the depth of love He
has for everyone He has created, wouldn’t you agree? Other people
may frustrate and disappoint us at times, and we may not be able to
detect any love from them toward us. However, God has told us in His
Word that He, the creator of everything, loves us (that includes you and
me).
We have a challenge, don’t we? We can accept His love casually and
go on in the worldly directions we are going; we can allow Him to
change a few areas of our life, and hold on to the rest of them; or, we
can embrace the magnitude of God’s love for us and set aside our ego
and pride so we can ‘clothe’ ourselves with the love of God. When He is
number one in our life, we will focus on showing our love for Him as a
replacement for our efforts to impress others through our words and
actions.
God, not others, is the One who determines our eternal destiny. Of course
we want to be liked and even loved by others, but He should be the top
priority in our lives (if we want to experience the magnitude of His grace
both now, and for eternity). It’s a matter of sacrificing our will for His will.
After all, the One we are following, Jesus Christ, gave us an example to
follow of obedience, love, and sacrifice. We should never allow the evil
one to convince us that we are ‘above’ the One we are following.
ACTION:
Take some time right now to meditate on the reasons God has saved
you. Has He given your heart a desire for a special area of ministry?
Has He created in you a burden to see lost people coming to Christ?
Has He given you a creativeness and spiritual gifts which you can
use in serving Him?
Reflect on how God’s grace has renewed your own mind. How
often do you put Him above you own personal desires? Can you
recall a time or times, when you have sacrificed something you
wanted to do, in order to do the things that please God?
We live in a “me world” that teaches us to put our desires above God’s.
When we do that, it prevents us from enjoying His grace, and all He has
promised for those who Love Him and are called according to His purpose.
If you haven’t already, then maybe it’s time for you to allow God to renew
your mind?
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace and what it
means to me. I pray that You would help me in the renewal
of my mind, so that I can fully enjoy all that Your grace has
to offer. Show me where I need to change, and teach me how
to use the special gifts You have given me for serving You.
Don’t let me waste what You have given me and miss out
on the joy and peace You have promised for those who love
and serve You. You have given to me, so that I can give back
to You; don’t let my selfishness cause me to blow opportunities
You have provided, for me to give back to You out of a heart of
thankfulness.”
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