Grace as a gift

Romans 3:22 -24 the righteousness of God  through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.  For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  and are justified  by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

The discussion on the topic of forgiveness continues today with a side trip to a meeting Pam and I attended last night. Truth In Love Ministry was in town visiting and sharing. A very nice meeting with many discussions on scripture and a moving testimony from a couple from Florida about how their entire family came to know the truth by digging into the New Testament. The Good News of the Gospel healed them. WWW.HisHealingNow.com is the website if you are interested in learning more. Bottom line, for it is by the gift of grace that we are saved.

I have been writing about my experiences with Andy of late. His situation weighs on my mind. Without any question he is in a difficult situation in a difficult place. I am comforted by the knowledge that God has a plan for Andy. Andy has chosen a difficult path in his life. That is just how he is wired. But there is a big question to consider. Is Andy saved?  By some beliefs, he is not. He is not considered worthy unless he does something to earn his salvation. Can you imagine a more difficult place to earn your salvation than sitting in jail? Does this kind of plan for salvation seem reasonable? Does this plan seem like one a loving, forgiving God who sent His Son to die for the salvation of all would put in place? Of course not. And that is at the center point of any discussion on faith and whether a person is a Christian of not.

If you believe that you are a sinner, and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus then congratulations you are a Christian and are indeed saved. If the above is not what you believe then I feel sorry for you and will pray for your coming to the light that is Jesus Christ. My best analogy is this. Who would be more sincere in their love for God? The person with a spiritual gun to their head being required to do something to earn salvation? Or would it be someone who serves out of love and gratitude, knowing they are already saved regardless of how much they can do? From the bible we know what love is and so we turn to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It  does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but  rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. This is the kind of love our Father in Heaven has for us. This is the kind of love that Jesus Christ displayed for us on the cross. True and absolute love. That is the God Andy believes in. That is the basis of Andy's faith, and my faith. We believed with our hearts and confess with our tongues that we have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  and are justified  by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.  The next time someone asks you if you are saved, remember Romans 3:22-24 because all other paths lead to a destination without Jesus as your true savior.

PRAYER: Most merciful God, You gave us poor sinners a gift we did not earn, nor deserve. Your gift of grace saves all who believe that Jesus Christ, Your Son, died for our salvation. The love that was poured out on the cross is a love which knows no boundaries. It is a love that reaches into the hearts of many, and can reach into the hearts of all. We ask that Your Holy Spirit fills the hearts of the many to seek the truth that is in Jesus Christ. We ask, dear Lord that You would guide our words, our hand and our feet in spreading the Good News of the Gospel to all that need to hear. To You Father, Son and Holy Spirit be all the glory in all that we do. Amen.