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2/10/2019
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By Trent Blake
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God's grace is so amazing. So amazing so that even the worst of things that could happen to us here on earth pale in comparison to what we have gained from His gift towards us.
Many of us know Mark 8:36, where Jesus asks the question, "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?" (NASB). But think... the reverse is also true... If you lose the whole world (and take the absolute worst it can throw at you) but have a relationship with Christ and the free gift of salvation, have you really lost anything?
Oftentimes many of us (myself included) feel sorry for ourselves when people don't give us what we what, what they promised, or even what we need. Think of the husband or wife who deeply needs and desires the love and respect of their spouse, but isn't receiving it. All they get back is indifference or hostility. Aren't they entitled to having that love and respect? After all, what about their promise "to love and to cherish, so long as they both shall live"?
The answer is no. We are entitled to nothing more then what our sinful selves have earned - our wages: death (Romans 6:23). But yet the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
We all (myself included) must continually come to the understanding that God's grace, even without ANY of the blessings of this world covers abundantly more then we could ever hope to deserve or be entitled to. And because of that, we are charged to replicate that grace into other's lives. That's why I, when I get married, plan to include in my vows, "Even if you do not give me what I need, I will still give you what you need, because of God's grace to me, and His greater love for you."
Let us seek to uplift and build up others, rather then seek to build up our own interests.
Many of us know Mark 8:36, where Jesus asks the question, "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?" (NASB). But think... the reverse is also true... If you lose the whole world (and take the absolute worst it can throw at you) but have a relationship with Christ and the free gift of salvation, have you really lost anything?
Oftentimes many of us (myself included) feel sorry for ourselves when people don't give us what we what, what they promised, or even what we need. Think of the husband or wife who deeply needs and desires the love and respect of their spouse, but isn't receiving it. All they get back is indifference or hostility. Aren't they entitled to having that love and respect? After all, what about their promise "to love and to cherish, so long as they both shall live"?
The answer is no. We are entitled to nothing more then what our sinful selves have earned - our wages: death (Romans 6:23). But yet the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
We all (myself included) must continually come to the understanding that God's grace, even without ANY of the blessings of this world covers abundantly more then we could ever hope to deserve or be entitled to. And because of that, we are charged to replicate that grace into other's lives. That's why I, when I get married, plan to include in my vows, "Even if you do not give me what I need, I will still give you what you need, because of God's grace to me, and His greater love for you."
Let us seek to uplift and build up others, rather then seek to build up our own interests.