Amazing Grace

Happy Sabbath, friends!

I am certain that many of you reading this message can recall a time in your life when you made a mistake, a bad decision, or have a past that you are not proud of. Whatever it may be, we are human, and we will make mistakes throughout our lives.

What we should be so grateful for is the amazing grace that God extends to each and every one of us — which we will be reflecting on in today’s message.

Salvation Is A Gift

Salvation is a gift — not a reward.

I say this because a gift is something we give to someone out of love, not because they earned it. A reward, on the other hand, is given after good behavior or works.

Salvation is not based on works, but on Christ’s unconditional love for each of us.

Ephesians 2:8–9 (NIV)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Letting Go Of Shame

It is easy for the world — and even ourselves — to hold our mistakes, bad decisions, and past against us. Unfortunately, that is a very human thing to do.

Yet, God calls us to let go of the shame and guilt we may carry, because He has already died on the cross as a testament to His merciful and forgiving heart for His children.

Just as He forgives us, we are called to forgive others — and ourselves.

Romans 8:1 (NIV)
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,”

Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

A Redeemed Story

Those who have been reading my blog for a while are likely aware that my past was not pretty. I made many mistakes, poor decisions, and my past is not something I am proud of.

If I could go back and redo everything, I would. But at the same time, I would not be who I am today without it.

I would not be able to share my testimony or be a witness to God’s saving grace with the same depth and vulnerability.

Instead of allowing guilt and shame to consume me, I now look for the purpose within it.

God saved me — time and time again.

I was the one sheep that was lost among the ninety-nine, yet God continued to find me and bring me back to Him.

And this is not exclusive to me — this is available to every single person.

You are not too far gone.
You are not unlovable.
You are not beyond His forgiveness.

As soon as you commit your life to Jesus, you are made new.

But remember — this is a daily choice. Each day, we choose whether to follow Him or turn away. No one is above another, because we all have the ability to fall.

This is why God continually calls us in His Word to choose Him — because in Him, we are made new and restored.

Luke 19:10 (NIV)
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.””

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Grace Over Perfection

God is not looking for perfection.

He knows we are human — imperfect beings in need of a perfect Savior.

What is so comforting about our relationship with Christ is that even when we fall short — which we will — He forgives us time and time again, as long as we choose Him.

We do not have to live in fear or feel like we are walking on eggshells around our Heavenly Father.

He wants the best for us. He loves us deeply and desires for us to spend eternity with Him.

It grieves Him when we fall, not out of anger, but because He desires for us to flourish in the plan He has for our lives.

Our God is the definition of what true love is.

1 John 1:9 (NIV)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 4:18 (NIV)
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

No Condemnation, Only Grace

For those reading this message, I want you to remember this:

No sin is beyond God’s forgiveness.

We all fall short and are equally in need of His grace.

Because of this, we do not have the authority to condemn others for their mistakes, decisions, or past — because we too have fallen short.

Only our Heavenly Father has authority over sin.

Our role is to surrender — to lay down our sin, shame, and guilt at the feet of Jesus, where true forgiveness is found.

Romans 3:23 (NIV)
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

Matthew 7:2 (NIV)
“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

James 4:12 (NIV)
“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”

A Grateful Heart

I pray over all who are reading this message — that you may be filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit.

If you are carrying shame, guilt, resentment, or anger toward yourself or someone else, I pray that you may be filled with the compassion and love of Jesus.

Thank You, Jesus, for Your gift of salvation.

We are not deserving of Your grace — yet You give it anyway.

Thank You for being a gracious and loving Father who desires the very best for His children.

Thank You for every time You have saved us — from our mistakes, our decisions, and from seasons where we felt lost.

I pray that no matter what we face — good or bad — we will always choose You and lay everything at Your feet.

Philippians 4:23 (NIV)
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”

Amen.