CONVERSATIONS
WITH GOD
All Things New: Holy Life
Archived Conversations with God
Day One
Difficult Grace
Accepting grace is far more difficult than we often realize. It seems like the easiest thing in the world to accept unmerited favor. And yet, there is always something in the back of our heads that wants to be worthy of the gift. "He really deserved to have something good happen after all he's been through". " It's about time things went my way". We always believe that our bad "luck" is undeserved, while the good things that happen to us are earned. When we go to God, there is always the remnants of a works salvation lurking in the background of grace. It often manifests itself in a barrier between ourselves and the lost. We believe that "those people " who are non-Christians are getting what is coming to them for the sins that they commit. "What do they expect?" Of course they are indeed getting what is coming to them, but we also see our blessings coming to us, rather than the product of grace. When you allow the difficulties of accepting grace to go unchallenged, you begin to think that you have earned God's favor, and if that is true, others could and should do the same. You now have no grace to extend to others, and will sit in judgment over them. Anything that hints at the fact that you haven't earned your salvation will be ignored, and you will slowly lose touch with the reality of who you are. You will focus more and more on the faults of others, and your relationship with God will bring weariness instead of joy because you feel the need to earn everything, rather than enjoying the free gifts of God. Bitterness and envy will take over, and like the brother who stayed in the story of the prodigal son, you will completely miss the party. Don't let this happen to you. Accept God's grace no matter how difficult. Always remember that it is a gift you haven't earned. Do the hard work of doing no work. Take joy in the unmerited favor you receive from the throne of grace.
Verses: Luke 15:11-32, James 4:1-10, Ephesians 2:1-10, 1 Corinthians 15:3-10
Prayer Topics: Mercy, Forgiveness, Peace, Joy
To Be Continued!