Nothing I can do

The beauty of grace is this: I did nothing to earn it. I can do nothing to change it. And, God gives it freely to all who call upon His name.

So I know these things, however, living and acting on this truth is proving to be more difficult that it seems. We are a people and a culture who like to earn what we have. We like to work hard, and get paid for it. We like to know that we are contributing to our current success. That is not how the kingdom of God works. Things are run quite differently there and it goes a little something like this: You were born a sinner. You have done nothing to deserve grace. But I'm going to give it to you anyways because I am God, and that is how I am choosing to save my children, I love you, nothing you can do will change that, and I forgive you.

That sounds a little different that what we are used to hearing in our world isn't it? And that my friends is why it's so hard to accept His gift of grace and salvation.

For it is by grace we have been saved, not by works, so that no man can boast...Ephes 2:8

If we were able to say that we contributed to our salvation (by good works, deeds etc..) then we would be adding to the kingdom of God. And we have to know, when we are saved, we bring NOTHING to the table. We come naked, hungry, empty, lost, alone, and sinful when we enter the throne room of God to beg for salvation. It is not this way because God wants to put us in our place, or Lord over us because He "wants us to feel small..." No. far from it. He wants us to feel the most loved, the most forgiven, the most cherished and the valued. And when we receive something we DON'T DESERVE that is exactly how we feel. Saved by grace my friends, that's what I am.

As I write these words, I know these things with my head. But with my heart, and with my actions, I seem to think something different, for lately, I have been carrying around a huge dark burden. A burden that is stealing my joy, squelching my peace, and darkening my days. It's the burden of "earning my salvation" and feeling as though I can do something that will make myself more worthy of His love, and more lovely to Him. I was reminded today that once again, I bring nothing to the table, and I can do nothing to save myself or make Him love me more. He loves me, because He loves. He saved me, by grace. And all I need to do is say, "thank-you" and offer Him my life's stint on earth, to be molded, to be shaped, to be available, usable, earnest, and devoted to Him plans for my life, my hearts emotions, and my minds activity.

I know that sounds like a lot, in fact, it is a lot, because it's all of me. But that is the only way I ever will find true joy, true peace, true contentment, and true rest as I walk this earth.

He loved me first, He died for me, and for that I know I can trust Him with all I have, because to not trust a person who is willing to die for you, sounds ludicrous.

To know, to believe, to act, they all go hand in hand. I KNOW that I am saved by grace, but to ACT on the knowledge is hard, so the actions must be fueled by faith, and faith is grown strong by spending time with the Father. He will teach me what I need to know, He will show me where I ought to turn, and He will encourage me to continually trust in Him as He says, "I saved you by grace..."

It goes it a little something like this, these are the words I hear whispered to my heart today...

"Dear child, I love you. Why do you walk around so burdened? Why do walk around with your head in your hands? Nothing you can do will make you more lovely, or less loved by me. I love you so much as you are. Bring me your burdens, ask for forgiveness for you sins, live for me, and I will give you peace."

Isn't that a wonderful thing to have said to you?

It's my paraphrase of so many verses strung throughout His Word...

"come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest..."Matt 11:28

"I am the same yesterday today and forever..." Malachi 3:6

"It is by grace you have been saved.." Ephes. 2:8

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only son to die.." John 3:16

"It is not by works so that no one can boast..." Ephes 2:9

"My yoke is easy and my burden is light.." Matt. 11:28-30

Friends...do you believe in the concept of grace? There is so much FREEDOM wrapped up in that truth, and believing it will truly make you soar as on wings as eagles.. (Isaiah 40:31)

Do you want to run through your day and not grown weary? Do you want to be forgiven and set free from the worries that bog you down? That dark thought that won't leave you each night as you close your eyes? And the weight that you wake up with on your shoulders each morning? Wouldn't it be nice to be free of that? You can be...it's all wrapped up in grace. Ask Him for it, and it will most certainly extend it to you as well.

Maybe today be the day you believe in grace.