Your Work or His Grace 

After a miscarriage and 3 long years of trying, my husband and I were blessed with Miss Aubrey on June 19, 2010. She is such a delight. I smile just thinking about her. She has changed our lives in so many ways. We honestly could not imagine life without her.

Although Miss Aubrey has brought so much joy into our home, not every moment rearing her is joyful. Sometimes it can be quite frustrating. I have sometimes found myself thinking about that Calgon commercial. Yes, sometimes I just need to be taken away.

Miss Aubrey is currently in a stage that I like to call the “Terrific Twos.”  She is exerting her independence a little more, which is good except there is so much she still can’t do. Frankly, she can cause a lot of trouble around the house. Yet, no matter what she does or  does not do, I still absolutely love her. In fact, there is nothing she can ever do to make me love her any more than what I do right this moment.

The way I feel about Miss Aubrey is the same way our Heavenly Father feels about us. No matter what we have done, not done, will do or will not do He loves us with an immeasurable love. There is nothing we have to do to earn that love. It’s free as a result of His grace.

It’s unfortunate that so many people have a hard time receiving His free gift of righteousness. There are so many well-meaning Christians who still believe that it’s our “works” (keeping the law) that makes us good enough to be love by God. Nothing could be further from the truth. The story of the rich young ruler is evidence of that (Matthew 19:16-26). He thought that because he had done all the right things- he had not murdered, committed adultery, stolen, beared false witness, had honored his father and mother and loved his neighbor as himself- that he was entitled to enteral life. #FAIL! Jesus told him that he was lacking one thing and then Jesus proved to him where his heart was- his wealth.

The rich young ruler and many well-meaning Christians thought that keeping the law entitles you to righteousness. Frankly, the reason why the law was instituted was to prove to mankind that he is not perfect and that he needed a savior- JESUS. The entire 1,500 years that mankind was under the law not one succeeded in obtaining righteousness by keeping the law. It was the blood of animals that covered their sins till Christ came. Let me tell you, a lot of animals died!

We live under the New Covenant where righteousness is a gift (Romans 5:17, Eph 2:8). Righteousness is no longer something you can earn by doing the right things or by sacrificing animals. It is given by grace and we receive it by faith. As simple as that!

Does that mean you no longer have to do “the law”? Yes and no. You don’t do the law thinking it’s going to put you in some kind of better position with God. “I am on the usher board of my church and I attend church every Sunday. I volunteer with the boys and girls club. I tithe 10% of all my earnings. I visit the sick…” and so on. Those things in and of themselves will not put you in any better position than someone who does not do them as far as eternal life. But, here’s what happens: once you realize you are the rigorousness of God you will do all those things and more. Not because you have to but because you want to. You will do them because your heart’s desire will be to be an example of Christ in the earth. You will no longer have an attitude of “I got to do”, but “I get to do.” You will want to tithe out of love for Christ. You will want to spend time with Christ. In fact my husband wrote a great article where he said that our appetite for the knowledge of Christ increases the more we feed on his word. In contrast to physically feeding your body, if you stop feeding your spirit then your appetite for spiritual knowledge decreases. But if you stop feeding your physical body your appetite increase. You don’t want to get to the point where you lose your appetite for spiritual things.

So which will it be your work or His grace? Let me help you decide, you will never succeed in your works. His righteousness is easy to obtain by accepting Jesus as Lord over your life.

If you haven’t accepted Jesus or if you need to rededicate because you have been operating under the Law and not His grace repeat this:

Accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior:

“Lord Jesus, I believe that you died upon the cross for me, that you shed your precious blood for the forgiveness of my sin. And I believe that on the third day, you rose from the dead, and went to Heaven to prepare a place for me. I accept you now as my Savior, my Lord, my God, my friend, my daddy. Come into my heart, Jesus, and set me free from shame, bondage and sin. And, because you are my Savior, Jesus, I shall not die, but have everlasting life. In Jesus name, Amen!”

It’s that easy!! You are the righteousness of God. Now find a local, bible – based church so that you can get connected and learn more about your salvation.

“Heavenly Father, I confess that I have been trying to earn your righteousness instead of accepting it. I repent this day. I now do good works not because I have to, but because I get to. I thank you for your grace and mercy towards me. I ask you to work in my life to develop the fruit of the Spirit so I may become continually more mature in my faith. In Jesus name, Amen!”em>

 Aubrey at 2 weeks old.

I pray these words have been an encouragement and/or had a positive impact upon you. Remember we all have a voice, this blog is my avenue to share mine. Please share yours by leaving a comment. If it has blessed you then share with your friends and family. Consider subscribing and if you are reading this from your inbox click here to leave a comment. If you need prayer, I would love to pray for you just submit them to the contact me from located to your right. Also, if you haven’t gotten your copy of In Search of True Beauty, click here. Thanks for your continued support!

-Cindy

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