10.06.2005

Day 2 // Jesus Tore Down the Wall

"For it is by Grace you have been saved, through faith, a gift from God, lest any man should boast" (v8-9). This is my favorite sentence in the whole Bible. A simple verse, but a powerful message that I needed to review tonight.

First, it is God's Grace that rescues us every day. Because of this, not one person on this earth has screwed up beyond God's help. All we have to do is ask for forgiveness. "It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ" (v4).

Second, it is through faith. This has very little to do with us. All we do is trust Jesus, and let Him do the saving. We can't earn our way to Heaven - only by following Jesus. And it's not too late for anyone to start.

Third, it is a gift. So we must not take it for granted. "It was only yesterday that you were outsiders to God's ways ... Now because of Christ ... you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything" (v11-13). Jesus offers a new creation, a fresh start for everyone. I like that. I need that.

Jesus tore down the wall between man and God. We're no longer exiles, strangers, or outsiders. Now we belong together.

A Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for this reminder of your Grace. Give me more faith tomorrow than I had today. I doubt you all too often. Let me accept your gift humbly without making it look like I had something to do with it. Finally, help me to understand what Grace really means, so that I can extend it to others.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

My greatest problem in accepting God's grace, is that it requires me to become humble. It is much easier for me to think that some aspect of my salvation is due to me. duhhh. It is not.

I remember how humbled I was when I tore my hamstring - I could do nothing (no thing). Or, when I had strepp, I was in the fetal position for 2 days and could do nothing. Very humbling.

When our 4 year old was hospitalized with a screaming fever and passing out, I could do nothing.

That's how God saved me. While I am able to offer absolutely nothing, He provides the whole thing - lovingly, confidently, and sufficiently.

And that's how I live today. Jesus said "apart from me, you can do nothing (no thing)"

Wow - Sign me "saved by Grace - alone" - Dan Learned

Jake Bland said...

dan ... take a listen to Bebo Norman's song "Nothing without You" sometime. Thanks for sharing your heart.

Anonymous said...

JB - I love the blogs, bro. I couldn't help but notice how similar your blogging style is to the emails we get from the our president every week. It think his style is rubbing off on you. Maybe it happened during the infamous dance you had with him!! Jesus is awesome through you, bro. Keep up the great thoughts. I'm totally tracking with everything you've shared from the journey in Ephesians.

Anonymous said...

I read Bebo's lyrics. Dead on right. My pastor has been talking about Brokeness. This theme has me surrounded. This week, I've been thinking about James 4:6, it says "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Ouch - I'm more often proud than humble, and I don't want God opposed to me, so here is a prayer:

"Lord humble me, but please be gentle - In the strong name of Jesus Christ-Amen." Dan L

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