Grace to You and Peace
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Grace to You and Peace
Galatians 1:3-4
Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.
Grace is the unmerited love and favor of God Almighty towards mankind. It is God’s good will and mercy — all His spiritual blessings that help make us pure and morally strong.
When we come to the realization of how deeply God loves us in Jesus Christ, His grace is working in our hearts — bringing light to our darkened lives. Before knowing Christ, there is no real hope for the future, or love, or real reason for being. Then, when we understand that the Creator of all things, the Almighty, has redeemed our futile lives and lovingly gives us the hope of eternal life in Jesus Christ — it’s like a light goes on.
There is a purpose to all that is happening. There is a way out of all this futility. That Way is Jesus Christ. In John 14:6 Jesus says,
I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.
Through God’s grace, He sent Jesus to suffer and die to pay for our sins. When we know how beloved we are (even in our messed up lives), being loved enables us to begin loving the way God wants us to love. “We love, because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
As we begin honestly loving according to the love of God, we begin leading godly lives. Our more godly lives show that He has delivered us “out of this present evil age”. The life styles of this world are no longer appealing. As a matter of fact, they are now repugnant and seen as senseless and worthless.
Being loved, we want to reach our heavenly home, which is filled with love and glory forever and ever. Now, all goodness, purity, and holiness is greatly desired because it is the essence of our Savior, who so dearly loves us. It is true that we are still sinners — but, we are sorry for our sins and do our best to control the sinful natures within us, for the sake of God’s love in Christ Jesus.
It is “the will of our God and Father” that we desire to be rid of all sin in our lives and strive to live according to His love. God knows our weaknesses and has promised to strengthen us as we lean upon Him for all our needs. He will help us to walk in His ways.
The more we look to God, the more He will give us the peace and comfort of knowing we are in His loving hands — and that the suffering and death of Jesus thoroughly washes away all our sins.
In fellowship with our heavenly Father and Savior, we say, “Hallelujah! Thank you, Lord, for Your gracious love and faithfulness in bringing us to Your salvation in Jesus Christ.”
Love,
Margaret
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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:30
Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming to the upright.
Psalm 33:1
How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4
Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1
Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3
Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12
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