Saved, by Grace!

Saved, by Grace!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8‭-‬9 NIV

We recall the power of sin, as well as the power of the blood of Jesus. We have seen the power of God's judgment, but we have also seen the power of God's grace. It is this mix that makes God unique: he hates sin but loves the sinner. He does not want anyone to perish due to unconfessed sin, but he makes very clear that the wages of sin is death. Can I then take the part of God that makes me comfortable, and ignore the part that pushes me to be careful about taking God for granted. Where do I stand? 

 I did not earn the gift given, because it came free to me. It cost God a lot, as he had to look away from his own son as he hung on the cross, doubly cursed due to sin and the nature of the punishment. Grace is the key that draws men to God. We do not come of our own accord; something would have pushed us to seek God. Grace comes from God; faith comes from within me, but birthed also by God. There is no room for self - sufficiency or pride. Because it is a gift, merit is inconsequential. Because it is a gift, price is immaterial. God has made it so that no one has to labour or strive to get it; all that is required of me is faith in Jesus. 

It is as simple, yet as complex as it has been stated above. The world teaches that a man has no right to that which he did not first work for. Maybe in some instances, but for all I will get from God, I get all, not by good works first of all but by grace and faith. God has so ordained it that no matter what I hold or who I know, nothing will make sense until I take hold of Jesus. He is the answer to the problem of sin, but like all gifts, I get to choose my response, and to live or die by the consequences of my response. I wonder, what would it be for me? What of you? God's time of favour is here.