Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 3: Salvation by Grace!”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
Have you ever received a gift that is so wonderful you think you have to give it back or you have trouble believing it is yours?
“Is this for me? Really? I don’t deserve this.”
“You shouldn’t have. I don’t deserve this.”
You are right. Our natural inclination is to measure our “worthiness” for God’s grace. I pray we simply accept the truth. You are NOT worthy of grace…never have been…never will be. That’s what makes grace so amazing…God gives it to you ANYWAY!
Here’s what makes grace so certain.
- It’s based on God’s heart of love for you.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Whenever you question if God loves you and had you in mind when he chose to send Jesus and share his grace, ask yourself this: “Am I part of the world?” If so, God loves you. If yes, God sent his son for you!
- It’s based on the facts of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Whenever I question whether I am saved or headed to heaven, I simply ask, “Did Jesus live a perfect life? Did Jesus die in my place on the cross? Did Jesus come out of the tomb alive?” YES to all of them. So my feelings don’t change the facts. I may not FEEL saved, but the facts remind me I AM saved!
Martin Luther put it this way as he explained the Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed:
“He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death. All this he did that I should be his own, and live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence and blessed ness, just as he has risen from death and lives and rules eternally.”
- It’s NOT based on your performance!
Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is NOT FROM YOURSELVES, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Enjoy grace for all it is! God’s undeserved love for you! God’s gift of salvation for you!
Prayer: Lord, simply, thank you for grace! AMEN!