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As I reflect on this past year, I realize that the reoccurring theme from God is to live under His inexhaustible grace (not under the law). This means that “just as I received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live my life in Him, rooted and build up in Him, strengthened in the faith” (Colossians 2:6-7). That does NOT mean that I do whatever I want and justified it because I am under grace. NO! I do my best to live a godly life but when I fall short, God’s grace is there for me: to repent, to turn to God and live a godly life with His help.
I noticed that every time I tried to prove that I am good (that I did or didn't do something), God’s grace was not there with me. But every time I put my trust in Him, and looked at what Jesus did (not how I performed), God’s grace and joy filled my heart. Did I fall from God’s grace? Yes, every time I looked at myself. I came equipped with plenty of shortcomings. But that is good because it forced me
to rely on God, His power and His righteousness (not on myself or my own righteousness).
As God said, “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10), “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But God loves us so much that “He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Jesus paid in full for all my sins and I am free from guilt and condemnation: “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
As I stand in God’s truth and live under His grace, I experience more peace and joy every day. “The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). As I remain under His grace and live in this state of unmerited favor, I experience freedom and victory in every area of my life. It is all of Christ and none of me. And it’s true, apart from Jesus, I can do nothing: “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
I realized that living under God’s grace is synonym with standing in faith. As God said: ”If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all” (Isaiah 7:9). And how can I remain in the faith if I don't live under God’s grace? The moment I look and rely on myself (how good I am, what I did or did not do), I fall from grace: “You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace” (Galatians 5:4).
God makes it clear that in order to live victoriously, we need to live under His grace and His righteousness: “how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” (Romans 5:17).
I will make no New Year resolution, but with God’s help, I will continue to live under His grace and experience His peace and rest. Love to all!
#faith #spirituality #Jesus #thebloodoesus #thenewcovenant #thegoodnews #grace #faith #believe #righteousness