The act of love that our Father orchestrated, as He sent His son to die on the cross on our behalf, is a sacrifice that we will never be able to completely comprehend. It’s only by His grace that we have the choice to believe and become a follower of Jesus.
There is a thriving movement in modern day Christianity that focusses solely on God’s grace –they want all the benefits of the sacrifice, but don’t want to change how they live. While we are all saved by grace, the very identity of a Jesus follower is one that follows in the ways of Jesus. A person who obeys the commands of Jesus.
Where does clinging to God’s grace but rejecting His commands leave us?
In some Christian circles this precedent seems to thrive.
It can draw crowds.
Striving to be as culturally relevant as possible but being too complacent to deal with sin in our lives.
However, we cannot mistake God’s patience for acceptance.
The Spirit of God that moves in us - to all who accept Jesus as their personal Saviour - moves in kindness to chip away at the things in our lives that aren’t healthy for us and aren’t life-giving. His goal for us is that we not continue to live in sin like the world around us.
“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” – Romans 2:4
If we’re going to wear the Holy name of Jesus as our Saviour, let’s also claim Him as LORD! LORD over all of our life. Not accepting (and living!) a watered-down version of the gospel but standing confident on one that boasts that “I am no longer who I used to be!”
God’s grace covers our sins but doesn’t give us an excuse to continue in them. His mercy is far-reaching, but it’s not to be used as a scapegoat to avoid dealing with the sin in our lives.
Are we taking advantage of God’s kindness for the sake of our selfishness or comfortability? Are there areas in our lives that the Spirit of God has nudged us to deal with and we’ve pushed it aside?
Our God is kind.
He is Faithful and good to not leave us where He found us.
He gave us the gift of His Spirit to empower us to bring Heaven down to Earth for the here and now.
His Kindness is drawing us to greatness!
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