Learning Grace


 


While pastoring a fellowship in the mid '80s there was one guy who was like a burr under my saddle.  Almost anything I spoke was met with, "well... you know... the grace of God...".

It seemed he only knew one song on a single-stringed banjo.

 

 For him EVERYTHING connected to GRACE.

 

I, however, was a performer… an actor… singer… and toured a one man comedy, magic, music, variety show for about 7 years.

 

Most relationships were built upon acceptance and approval through PERFORMANCE.

 

Consequently, I related to my Heavenly Father as a task master who would mete out blessings determined by my ability to please Him.

If I do what is expected, I will receive the reward... if I don't... there is no blessing, nor fulfillment of promise.

 

Almost 20 years later, I stepped out of "ministry" for the last time.

 

Guess who I immediately called?

 

Yep… the “grace guy”.

 

The first thing I said was, "I need what you have...  PLEASE tell me what you know about grace?"

 

That gentleman patiently walked me through countless hours of rooting out old mindsets, re-laying a foundation properly on the love and grace of our Father and the finished work of Christ on the cross.

 

Titus3:5–7 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to HIS MERCY he saved us…”

 

What rest… to know that I AM A SON... AN HEIR... not earned by merit... but because of HIS loving choice.

 

All my life I had performed as a servant.

 

Jn15:15–16  “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.  

You have not chosen me, 

But…

I HAVE CHOSEN YOU!”

 

Gal4:7  “Wherefore you are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

 

He has given you the unrestrained, all-encompassing gift of all that HE is 

…and all the HE has…

·       Without limitation

·       Without reservation

·       Without restriction 

·       Without qualification 

·       Without requirement 

To FREELY overwhelm you with blessings beyond comprehension 

to demonstrate His fathomless love and immeasurable FAVOR FOR YOU. 

 

HE CHOSE YOU…

 

…AND MADE YOU A SON!


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