spiritualsnippets.com

Seeing life's events in the light of God's Word.

Jul 13

Grace vs. Works

by Brenda Poulos

Romans 11:6– And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

One of the most popular songs of all time is Amazing Grace.

We say Grace before our meals.

Grace is a very popular girl’s name.

Philip Yancy wrote a book called, What’s So Amazing About Grace?

 I am a member of Grace Church.

Grace. What does that word mean?

Simple. It is undeserved merit.

It would be like me winning The Pulitzer Prize.

When we accept Jesus as our savior, God showers grace upon us. That is, he confers on us undeserved merit, or forgiveness of our sins.

We don’t deserve this merit, this forgiveness. We cannot work for it. It cannot be earned. That is why it is called grace.

Some people believe that by doing good works, they can earn a right standing with God. But, when you read Romans 11:6, we see that God is telling us that works is the opposite of grace.

God did not have working your own way to heaven as a part of his plan. No, he planned to give us a free gift of eternal life through his son, Jesus.

Why would he have sent Jesus to the cross to die if he planned to have you work for your salvation? What kind of loving father would have done that? That would mean that Jesus suffered and died for nothing!

But, that’s not how it happened. Knowing we could never earn our place in Heaven, he saved us by HIS GRACE through faith in Jesus Christ.

The next time we sing Amazing Grace, may we do so with a thankful heart—one that truly understands that this undeserved merit was not made possible by good works that we may have done, but by the greatest act of unconditional love that this world has ever witnessed.

Brenda

Biblical lessons

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Mar 30

The Cup

by Brenda Poulos

Luke 22:42 (NIV) “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

From the standpoint of a human being, the prayer Jesus prayed in the garden prior to His crucifixion was very understandable. He knew the pain and anguish He was about to suffer. He prayed that God would spare Him.

What about you? Have you ever prayed that God would spare you from some physical illness, uncomfortable confrontation, or punishment of some kind?

Maybe the pain or embarrassment was just too much to bear, so you asked God to somehow change or correct the situation so that you wouldn’t have to endure it. But, had you considered that there might be some good that might come out of your suffering? That maybe God would use its outcome for your best interest or to teach someone else as they listen to your story?

Jesus knew that it would only be by His death and resurrection that God’s plan of redemption for mankind could take place. He prayed that He would not have to drink of the cup God had prepared for him, but He also knew that we needed to be forgiven—made right with God—so He deferred to God’s will.

We each may very well have a cup to drink. Although our life situations may be different, it is only as we bow to God’s will that we can realize the blessing He has for us. He is able to turn your suffering into rejoicing as you come to Him.

Someone’s cup may be the death of a treasured friend. For another, it might be the unfaithfulness of a spouse. Still others may face caring for a child with a terminal illness.

Whatever it is, we can know this: our Savior knows our pain. He loves us so much that He drank the cup of crucifixion for us. But the good news is that God turned His suffering into rejoicing as He raised Him from the grave, victorious over death.

As God turned Jesus’ cup into the salvation for all men who will come to Him, He is fully capable of turning your cup into something good for you and those you love.

Brenda

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Jan 26

No More Chains

by Brenda Poulos

Lamentations 3: 22,23– “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (NRSV)

When cleaning out a long-forgotten box filled with old books, I came across a copy of Ripley’s Believe it or Not from 1978. As I thumbed through it, I was captivated by a picture of “The Man of Chains” from Lahore, Pakistan.

In the photo, Mohammedan Sahib Allah Shah was dressed in over 670 pounds of chains which he reportedly wore for the last thirteen years of his life, as a penance for his sins. The article told of many similar acts of penance practiced by religious groups around the world.

The Bible tells us that, while we should hate sin and refrain from sinful acts, we can be assured of forgiveness because of the great love and mercy of our Lord. Jesus bore the punishment for our sins when He went to the Cross. Nothing beyond our acceptance of this precious gift from Him is necessary on our part in order to obtain salvation.

No more can the chains of sin bind you and keep you apart from the Father. No more can guilt burden your life. No more need for penance because God’s mercies are new every morning!

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