♥ Knowing What Grace Is!

When the kindness and the love of GOD our SAVIOR appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to HIS great mercy HE saved us. - Titus 3:4, 5.

By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourself; it is the gift of GOD. - Ephesians 2:8

Simon was a young Canadian who needed money to meet the demands of his addiction to drugs. How do you get it at the age of 17? He started selling drugs. Two court sentences did not end his trafficking. Just before his 18th birthday he was invited to a meeting: There he heard the Gospel and understood that GOD loved him to the extent of giving up HIS only SON. He recognized his wrong before GOD and repented and found peace. He was delivered from his former way of living. Now of age he knew that he deserved a lengthy prison sentence. However, he decided to tell the whole truth.

Now, he faces the judge. Silently he cries to GOD. The hearing is almost over. Simon has kept nothing back; his confession has relieved his conscience. The judge raises his hammer. This is a solemn moment! Now comes the verdict: "What you have done merits seven years of imprisonment". A moment of silence follows. "But in view of your attitude I have decided to grant you a pardon once again". A hammer blow followed.

Simon said, "At that moment I realized what GOD's grace is". GOD never says, "What you have done is not serious". Nor: "I am a forgiving GOD in whatever sin you commit". HE says, "YOU DESERVE CONDEMNATION. BUT THROUGH REPENTANCE AND FAITH IN THE ONE (JESUS CHRIST) WHO SUFFERED IN YOUR STEAD, PUNISHMENT FOR YOUR SINS ARE COMPLETE, SO I GRANT YOU FREE PARDON."

Taken from the daily devotionals, The Good Seed.

Because of JESUS CHRIST, we are spared from a dreadful punishment. It is totally free for you, but in all that please never forget how costly it was for our Heavenly FATHER to give up HIS own beloved SON, JESUS CHRIST on the cross, and how costly it was for JESUS, being innocent and being GOD, to die on the cross with the full weight of our sins laid on HIM.

It might be bearable to even think of giving up your life for somebody good, but to die for a horrible sinner like me only shows me one thing, That my JESUS loved me and still loves me so much. I AM HIS BELOVED.  That thought just blows my mind away. I AM MY YESHUA's BELOVED! AND SO ARE YOU!

Inspired by The HOLY SPIRIT.