The Message That Changes Everything

The Message That Changes Everything

God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. Romans 8:3

God’s grace versus our own merit—it’s a universal struggle.

Why do we make it so hard to accept His grace? Our inability to accept such an overwhelming gift—either directly from Him or through the actions of others—can sap us of energy and potential like few other things can. Instead, we opt to pursue merit on our own, which leads us on a never-ending cycle of yearning and earning—love, worth, esteem.

That’s not God’s way. Thank You, Lord.

I suppose we could blame it on society. After all, we are continually bombarded with messages contrary to the message of grace. We are told to work harder, earn more, be thinner, look prettier, acquire more stuff, build bigger, be better, and on and on. Messages infused with the vocabulary of doing and earning and merit. Messages that say we have to accomplish this list of things before we can expect to be fully loved and fully accepted. Messages contrary to God’s empowering promise of grace.

Here’s God’s message of grace: “I love you!”

Really. He says it to you and to me. Every day, many times over. He says it to the person who society says is overweight, not very smart, not cool, not this, and not that. Bottom line? He says, “No matter what others tell you, no matter if you don’t fit their idea of perfection, I love you.” His grace is a promise He will never retract.

Once you receive that gift of grace, you join countless believers whom “God can point to . . . as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). He has done it all.

Uncommon Key > When society pummels you with messages that make you feel defeated and worthless, listen to the Person who loves you more than anyone else, and receive His gift of grace. Thank Him for it right now.