June 8, 2017
“Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish!” Ephesians 2:7-8 The Message
What an amazing secret about God: He knows exactly where to shower your life with kindness and grace. You may have walked through a downpour and missed it. But He didn’t. Because He knew just where He could drench your life and you would not run from it .. fight it .. but finally just surrender and let it wash over all you. The word “extravagant” barely covers what grace is. There really isn’t one word or phrase that can capture and contain what this gift is and does in you. It’s Jesus wanting to meet you on your ground just as you are and just as He is. And at that moment just lets grace be the path where you walk upright without shame .. fear .. or indelible guilt. But God … goes even further: He seals your life with His Spirit.. literally. His guarantee is stamped upon your heart. He knows you’ll test Him on his promise. He knows you’ll try to redefine grace to fit your plans and intentions. Grace isn’t a free permission slip to do anything and use His gift to cover it. But grace is there when you do cross the boundary lines .. desire to sin .. and afterwards regret it and try to bury it. Grace lets you bring it into the light of Christ. You don’t have to hide or pretend. Jesus doesn’t dispense grace proportionally to your need. It’s unsearchable .. unfathomable .. extravagant .. immeasurable. Why? Because you’ve been signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. Grace doesn’t let you slide or hide. It calls you to be real and that’s where Jesus longs to meet you everyday: the real you. It only takes a moment …
“It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.” Ephesians 1:13-14 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Infectionally-Graced Jesus Followers (kchesterp1@gmail.com)
