Grace
by Suzanne Benner
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“We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are” (Acts 15:11).
Grace. It is a radical claim, an implausible idea.
Yet it is the central tenet of Christianity and the element that sets our faith apart from every other world religion.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
The Bible teaches that there is absolutely nothing we can do to earn God’s approval. Because of His holiness, He requires perfection.
Yet, “There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins” (Ecclesiastes 7:20).
If we hope that when our good deeds outweigh our bad deeds it will satisfy God, we are mistaken because Isaiah says, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away” (Isaiah 64:6).
Our good deeds are worthless when compared to God’s goodness.
How then do we access grace – the undeserved favor of God?
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
We are asked to believe.
In some ways it seems harder than working diligently to change and be good, because it requires utter humility and reliance on God.
Yet when we cry, “Save me God, for I cannot save myself,” we join the ranks of thousands, who for generations have relied on God’s grace alone.
~God, Your offer of grace is beyond comprehension. Help me to believe.
Questions: Why is grace so hard to accept? Why is grace so important to our faith?
About the Author
This devotional was written by Suzanne Benner. Read more about Suzanne: http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/suzanne-benner/
11 Responses to “Grace”
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I just want to say, I feel so very blessed by the Lord Jesus and each one of you!! I have a hard time grasping his wonderful, awesome gift GRACE!!! Thank you Jesus for this Devotional today and all of these great and wonderful CHRISTIAN people!! We need to uplift each other, just as we have done here today, in today’s world we need all the uplifts we can get!! Thank you sooooo much Jesus for putting me in this very moment that is such a blessing that we dont have to earn the wonderful gift GRACE, you gave this with no penalties because you loved us!!! How totally awesome is that!!! I love you Jesus and all of you on here and thank you for blessing my day Suzanne!! God Please Bless Them ALL, In JESUS precious name I pray, AMEN
Thanking HIM for you and your honest, beautiful sharings on here, dear Barbara! You show the rest of us by example. Love you and the Father you serve so lovingly!! God Bless your Day!!! (Know HE will, too, as He is very much at head of your special life!). PTL!!!!
Dear Father God, I thank you for saving me from the person that i used to be. It is by your Grace and my believing/faith in your son Jesus Chrsit that has placed me on the narrow raod to life.
It does not matter how much I try to impress and/or do for others that sets me apart from others. It is your GRACE that makes it possible for me to enter into fellowship with you.
I was once so lost yet now found by you and I am so grateful to have received such an awsome gift from you.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for rescuing me several years ago from the defeated life that I once lived. I will never forget the day in which I received your Son Jesus Christ as my personal Lord, Savior and Friend.
When I was younger – My mom foster mom would always say this phrase “Honey if it wasn’t for His Grace” – I never quite understood her comment of God’s unmerited favor until much later. Even today I am yet still learning daily and grasping the debt of His Grace. When I look at times I have failed Him, at moments I let go of His hands, at times when I took circusmtances into my own hands, because I felt God was taking his sweet old time, I have experienced His grace. It brings me everytime to Exodus 34:7 And He proclaimed His name, “the Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. It is just indescribable the awesomesness of God’s GRACE. Thank you Suzanne for the devotional today. Blesisngs
Thank You Lord, that I can come to this place, and be encouraged by other believers. Thank You for your grace, Lord knows I don’t deserve all that you have done, But your GRACE and LOVE for me, and all of us SAYS IT ALL!!! Thank You Jesus!
I can look back now and see How You never left me, even when I left you, Thank You so, for your unconditional Love.
I pray you will help me, and each and everyone of us to realize that we can rely on you totally. That your Grace is sufficient for each and everyone of us.
Thank You Lord for this Brand New Day!
God be with you all today and Thanks for freely sharing your post.
I always look forward to reading it and sharing what God is doing in my life.
God Bless!
Sandra
His Grace is a Free Gift..Our human minds can’t even comprehend that and we have to learn to rely on HIM..which teaches us about Faith! Our human conditions makes us want to be first, best, competitive..But this is FREE..cannot be earned!!! And, it makes this earthen walk so much easier when we grow and understand it! We fall time and again in our human ways..But HIS beautiful grace never removed, never taken away based on our performances..HE is always there to pick us up, dust us off, and Lamentations 3:23-24!!..Start us fresh and new each morning…loving us when we are unlovable and teaching us to do the same for others! We bow down in reverence to His unbelievable, unconditional, unexplainable love and forgiveness..And like Judy said..we must pray that HIS grace and love shines through to others..That with that? We can forgive the unforgiveable..just as HE daily forgives us! Thank you again and again, Lord Jesus!!
His beautiful Grace removes the human need to gain favor, to be competitive, etc..It is absolutely free and unearned and it teaches us what Faith IS!!! We have to receive and believe before we see it. It is HIS favor …lovingly, unconditionally given..with no strings attached as most humans require innocently, or not! And it is precious and freeing once we’ve received it, too! It makes the unbearable possible to endure..It is the Balm that makes our lifes in these human shells even JOYFUL at times of challenge! Praise you, dearest Lord, for this unbelievable gift that you so freely and lovingly give! We give you ALL Glory and bow down in reverence and Honor realizing how blessed we are this day and every day with YOUR Inheritences in our lives!!!
Thank you, Lord, for the awesome grace you have given me. Thank you for your love. I praise your Holy name. I pray that I will let you grace and love shine through. Forgive me I pray. In Christ’s Name. Amen
Father, the very fact that I took a breath this morning lets me know that YOU have something for me to do this day and that I am to do it in YOUR name.
Help me to always acknowledge you as the giver of life, to dedicate my time here on earth to accomplishing your perfect will and to bring your precious name gory and honor!
Father, the fact that I took a breath this morning lets me that YOU have something for me to do for you this day and to do it in your name. Help me to always acknowledge you as the giver of life, to dedicate my time here on earth to accomplishing your perfect will and to bring your precious name glory and honor!
GOD has GRACED me so much in my life. If it wasn’t for his graces I wouldn’t still be moving and getting around like I am