Since there's alot of confusion these days on the subject of the grace of God, I thought I'd bring some clarity to the issue by sharing portions of an email I recently received from Joyce, a dear member of our congregation:
"When we think and feel that we must do something to have God's approval and love, we are getting into legalism and away from grace. Grace is God's one way love. He loves us regardless of what we do or don't do. We should do things because of our love for Him and what He has already done for us. We shouldn't abuse grace by purposely doing wrong knowing that because of grace we are forgiven--it is not a free pass to go out and live like the devil. On the other hand legalism is a set of rules of do's and don'ts-trying to be good enough and do good things to earn our salvation."
Joyce goes on to share how God's grace impacts her daily walk with Christ:
"God opened my spiritual eyes to see that I am me; I can't and should not desire to be anyone else. That it doesn't matter to Him if I can't pray as good or as long as other people, He still loves me and hears prayers long or short as long as they come from the heart. He still loves me even when I fall by the way side or make mistakes, He will be there to pick me up and He will never leave or forsake me. It doesn't matter what people think about my stammering and stuttering when I speak. I may not think that I am pretty, but God sees the inner beauty and that is all that matters. I don't need man's approval--Jesus is all sufficient--He's all I need. He created me to be me and no one else. He has a purpose and plan just for me that no one else can fulfill."
Amen, Joyce!
The grace of God is absolutely WONDERFUL! It affects EVERY part of our lives! It is how God brings us into His Kingdom, how we grow in His Kingdom and how we will live in His Kingdom for all eternity!
It is not a license to do wrong nor an exemption from doing what's right. It is the power that liberates us from the bondage of sin so that we may be free to love God and one another and to abstain from wrongdoing everyday of our lives from a joyful heart.
"For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love."
Galations 5:13
Pastor Ellery Aguayo
"When we think and feel that we must do something to have God's approval and love, we are getting into legalism and away from grace. Grace is God's one way love. He loves us regardless of what we do or don't do. We should do things because of our love for Him and what He has already done for us. We shouldn't abuse grace by purposely doing wrong knowing that because of grace we are forgiven--it is not a free pass to go out and live like the devil. On the other hand legalism is a set of rules of do's and don'ts-trying to be good enough and do good things to earn our salvation."
Joyce goes on to share how God's grace impacts her daily walk with Christ:
"God opened my spiritual eyes to see that I am me; I can't and should not desire to be anyone else. That it doesn't matter to Him if I can't pray as good or as long as other people, He still loves me and hears prayers long or short as long as they come from the heart. He still loves me even when I fall by the way side or make mistakes, He will be there to pick me up and He will never leave or forsake me. It doesn't matter what people think about my stammering and stuttering when I speak. I may not think that I am pretty, but God sees the inner beauty and that is all that matters. I don't need man's approval--Jesus is all sufficient--He's all I need. He created me to be me and no one else. He has a purpose and plan just for me that no one else can fulfill."
Amen, Joyce!
The grace of God is absolutely WONDERFUL! It affects EVERY part of our lives! It is how God brings us into His Kingdom, how we grow in His Kingdom and how we will live in His Kingdom for all eternity!
It is not a license to do wrong nor an exemption from doing what's right. It is the power that liberates us from the bondage of sin so that we may be free to love God and one another and to abstain from wrongdoing everyday of our lives from a joyful heart.
"For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love."
Galations 5:13
Pastor Ellery Aguayo