It’s all about grace
April 17, 2009
Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. And the angel said to those who were standing before him, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” And to him he said, “Behold, I have taken your iniquity away from you, and I will clothe you with pure vestments.”
--Zechariah 3:3-4
Joshua was not a wicked man. This was the best religion had to offer… the high priest! And yet, as Joshua stood in the presence of God, he was viewed as wearing filthy clothes. He needed God’s forgiveness just as much as you and me.
It’s important to remember that you are saved and sustained by grace alone. At times you may feel like you’re doing okay in your Christian life. You may serve, witness, give, perform acts of kindness, and have admirable character.
But don’t be mistaken. You’re not saved by any of that! And to the degree that you’re clinging to your self-righteousness or any merit that you have, you’re missing the blessing of grace.
You’re not saved by grace and works… but by grace alone. Grace is not God making up the difference in your shortfall. It does not mean that you pay a little bit and then God pays the rest. That’s not grace!
The grace of God means that you and I come without anything to offer. We come into the Kingdom helpless and hopeless and empty. And he invites us there, not on the basis of our merit or money, but on the basis of his grace.
So today, remember that your salvation is a gift of grace through and through. It doesn’t depend on what you do… it’s based entirely on what Jesus did for you!
YOU ARE SAVED AND SUSTAINED BY GRACE ALONE!
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OUR THANKS TO YOU!
Pause: Resting in God Instead of Stressing Out
Dear Friend,
Do the words rested... peaceful... and refreshed describe you today? Or do the words stressed... rushed... and pressured better describe your way of life?
If you're like most Christians, you'd probably have to admit those last three words more accurately describe your life most of the time!
The good news is that it doesn't have to be this way... even when your life is one big pressure-cooker. And in my new book, Pause: Resting in God Instead of Stressing Out, I'll show you why.
Based on the principles from Paul's letter to the Philippians and Psalm 23, Pause: Resting in God Instead of Stressing Out will help you find true peace and rest in a world that is anything but peaceful and restful. It's the perfect "pause" button you need!
So please request your copy of Pause: Resting in God Instead of Stressing Out when you give online today! --Jack Graham 