23 December 2016
NIV365-DAY:
Ephesians 2:8-9 NASBS
[8] For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; [9] not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
No Strings
It’s hard to believe that God knows everything I’ve done and still accepts me.
Read
Our acceptance in God’s eyes is a no-strings-attached gift. It isn’t a reward for our good behavior. It’s not something we can pay God back for by doing all the things we think he wants us to do. God gave us our salvation. Jesus paid a high price for it, so it wasn’t free; but it’s free to us. It’s a gift that he wanted us to have because he is good and loving.
Paul said it like this: “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).
Think
God’s grace is hard to grasp because in the world nothing comes for free. Grace is the way of God because that’s how deep his love goes. The awkwardness we feel when we realize Jesus died to save us and there’s nothing we can do to earn our salvation is a glimpse of how deep God’s love and goodness goes. It’s almost awkward to be loved this deeply. This is intense, overwhelming love. It’s love beyond anything we could ever repay. It’s too much. It’s too good. And, well, that’s who God is. He is too good. He is too much. He is overwhelming love.
Live
When you sin, return to God. But remind yourself of what Jesus did in order for you to do so. Then, even though it’s difficult, bring your sin and guilt to God and receive the love that he offers in exchange. Sit in the intensity of the moment; don’t run from it.
As you experience all kinds of feelings, know this: You’re experiencing the intensity of God’s love. This is God’s heart. He is audaciously loving, shockingly kind and unfailingly forgiving. Let it sink in to your heart that this is who he is and what his heart is like. He is so incredibly good.
Taken from NIV The Great Rescue Bible
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