UPSIDE DOWN

GRACE DEFINED

The Daytona 500 was this past weekend.  I didn’t go.  I didn’t even watch it.  But I can tell you what happened.  Besides the fact that there was a huge wreck with over 20 cars involved, the winner was the first one to cross the finish line. I know you didn’t know I was that smart.  Now you do.  Welcome to the world of being smart.  Hahaha.

No really, our world sees the same thing happen in sports, academics and even careers.  We EARN victories, we EARN grades, we EARN paychecks.  And those are all good and appropriate things.

So we take this same thought in our relationship with God.  But God turns that thought UPSIDE DOWN.

Grace is unmerited, undeserved, unearned favor of God.

Pray:  God, teach me what Your grace is all about.

Grab your Bible:  Read Ephesians 2:8-9.

 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

So let’s rewind a little.  The story of Jesus is 100% true.  Jesus, God’s Son, came to earth, lived a perfect life and did not sin.  He died on the cross for your sin and mine.  And on the third day, He rose from the dead.

If you didn’t need rescuing from your sin, Jesus wouldn’t have bothered to come.  But you do need rescuing from your sin.  And Jesus did come to do just that.

But unlike most things in the world we live in, you do not have to EARN God’s love and forgiveness.  It is for free!  But you need to believe.

For a few of you that are thinking, ok, I have heard this so many times.  What is something new you can tell me?  Sorry, not sorry, for the letdown.  The news for you who have believed in Jesus for a long time…TODAY, you do not need to earn God’s favor.  God loves you like crazy today for free.  You do not have to impress Him, you do not have to perform for Him, He loves You!  He fully accepts You.  He has forgiven you.

Now, you let that be fuel to love Him like crazy back, to honor Him and to spend time with Him.

Go!

Grace is unmerited, undeserved, unearned favor of God.

Prayer:  God, I know You love me and forgive me.  I do not deserve it.  But I believe in You..that You are my Lord, my rescuer.  I trust in You.