Grace

You know, looking back at my life before I knew Jesus Christ, I think I could do the "saved by works" thing. Really. I wasn't so bad of a person like all those child molesters and rapists out there. I'm good enough.

Nevermind that I wasted my time every night playing videos games and watching pornography.

Nevermind that I didn't give any of my time or money to help other people.

Nevermind that my prayers to God all thanked him for my family, my life, my job, and my friends -- but instead of every caring what God's will was, I justed wanted him to keep me rich and comfortable.

Nevermind that I would do "nice" things for my wife now and then, but all too often only to get what I wanted.

Nevermind that I was looking for happiness in all the wrong places and coming up empty.

Nevermind that I often had in my heart way too much worry, or sadness, or anger, or fear, or anything else that wasn't peace and wasn't joy.

Nevermind that I led a selfish and sinful life and was proud of it and being able to revel in how much time and money I was able to waste on nothing.

Nevermind that my long term goal was to "enjoy" life as much as possible before I died.

But at least I wasn't like those other wicked people, right? Right? Nope. Wrong.

Thank God for grace. Thank God that my salvation was not, is not, and never will be dependent on my own efforts, because the best I could ever do comes up infinitely short of what God requires. Thank God that Jesus came into this sinful and broken world and paid the price that we could never pay.

Thank God that all he requires is belief in his son, Jesus Christ. That sounds too easy, doesn't it? But that's it. That's what the Bible teaches. In my own experience, and that of many others, the moment you truly believe in the saving power of Christ and turn to him, you are transformed from the inside out. That moment is a catalyst for a new life of joy and hope.

The only real questions to ask are "What does belief in Jesus Christ look like?" and "What's my response to it?"

Grace and Peace