We have it all backwards, don’t we? We do not need to work ourselves to the point of exhaustion to receive God’s Grace. God’s Grace sets us free from the false merit system we humans think is God’s Way. Then after being set free, we can work to bring good into this world and into our lives, but out of a grateful heart. We work because we love God and desire to please Him. I live, and love to put a smile on God’s holy face. Not to get anything from Him, but because I am so very thankful for His Grace. It is His Grace that has given me everything, in this life and in the one to come. It is not “works” to have Grace, but Grace so we can work. It takes the pressure off because we are not trying to GET something, but instead we want to GIVE everything. See how freeing Grace is?
The problem is that we think God only saves “good people.” This is what Mr Lucado discusses as he asks, “If God saves good people, how good is ‘good’?” (p46) He says suppose we have to be 80% good but we are only 79% good, what then? This merit system is an awful burden, but Grace has nothing to do with our worth. It has everything to do with our Loving God. It is not what we do, or don’t do, that moves God to grant us Grace. The author quotes a Bible verse we should all know by heart: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:8) What a relief, right?
The truth is, good people do not go to Heaven. Only holy people do. And there is no way any human can become that pure and sinless apart from the Grace of God. We become holy only because God invites us to place our Faith in the only Sinless One who, not only made the way for our entrance into Paradise, but who is The Way. (see Jn 14:6) Mr Lucado makes it as plain as day: “We contribute nothing. Zilch. As opposed to the merit badge of the Scout, salvation of your soul is unearned. A gift. Our merits merit nothing. God’s work merits everything.” (p47) You see, we are saved by Good Works, just not ours. Let’s spend some time meditating on this today so we can let go of our need to add to God’s Perfect Solution to our greatest problem…and just be free!
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
June: Spiritual Dad: “It’s Not About Me- Rescue from the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy” by Max Lucado
July: Financial Freedom “Complete Guide to Money” by Dave Ramsey
August: Summer’s Soul Restorer “A Shepherd Looks At Psalm 23” by W Phillip Keller
September: Covering Our Children: “Prayers for the Prodigals” by James Banks
October: Reformation of Our Hearts: “Grace: More Than We Deserve, Greater Than We Imagine” by Max Lucado
<>< Peace, Diane
