See what HE did!

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:1-10

Recently, I have been reading a book called The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller (l-o-v-e having a hubby in a ministry training program because I get to read all his neat books!). The book addresses some of the age old questions skeptics ask when they are struggling with belief in God. It was a good read, but as always, you have to chew up the fat and spit out the bones.

One statement on page 19 of Keller's book really caused me to stop and think:

"God's grace does not come to people who morally outperform others, but to those who admit their failure to perform and who acknowledge their need for a Savior." Timothy Keller in The Reason for God pg. 19

Our Christian faith centers on our belief that we are saved by grace through our faith in Jesus as seen in Ephesians 2; NOT because we are better than non-believers. My brain has comprehended this fact for a long time, but I am sorry to admit, my heart and actions have many times failed to follow suit.

We need to pray.......I need to pray that God will change my heart in the way I view others. I need to remember that I was dead in my sins and needed so desperately a Savior to reconcile me to God.

If you are already a Christian reading this, I ask that you evaluate the way you view and treat those without Christ..........we were in the same mess they were before we found Him.

If you have not given your life to Him because you don't think you are good enough or that you think you can't live the life He calls you to live........know that it is His grace that will save you through your faith in Him. He will help you live for Him if you will only give your life to Him. The Bible teaches that He made you to perform His will in Christ Jesus! If I can help you learn more about that, please let me know.