The God of All Grace, Who Called You

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The God of All Grace, Who Called You

Many people have a tendency  to wonder  if  they’ll ever be  good enough  for heaven.     A person’s sins  have a way  of bringing on feelings  of guilt  and unworthiness.     There are times  when one feels a need  to do a bunch  of good works  to make up  for a sin committed.     It’s somewhat like the song:   “Oh, you better watch out;  you better not cry;  you better not pout;  I’m telling you why… Santa Claus is coming to town…….  He knows if you’ve been good or bad,  so be good for goodness sake!”

With lyrics like that,  people grow up  “learning”  work righteousness.     They are  subliminally impressed  with the idea  that their concentrated efforts  will earn  love,  extra special gifts,  and even heaven.     They subconsciously no longer trust  in the forgiveness we have  through Jesus Christ,  but feel  they absolutely must  work their way  into God’s favor.

All that is very unbiblical.     Nevertheless, many people  still want to cling  to their work righteousness  “just in case”  they need an extra boost  to get into heaven.     When Satan tempts us  to trust in our own goodness — instead of the power  of Jesus  to wash away all our sins — we would do well to think  about 1 Peter 5:10  (amongst many other verses),

The God  of all grace,  who called you  to His eternal glory  in Christ,  will Himself  perfect,  confirm,  strengthen  and establish you.

Our Lord is  “the God  of all grace”.     That means  He is the God  who abundantly lavishes  an undeserved love  upon us all.      He knows all our sins — and yet,  He continues  to love and forgive us.     But, there is so much more than that.     God does not keep His ever-present eye on us  just to make sure  we really are being good.

Instead,  God keeps His loving eye on us  to  “perfect,  confirm,  strengthen  and establish”  each and every one of us.      We grow  in God’s grace  because He is doing all the work  in us.     It’s not about what we do — but about what we let God do  in us  that makes the difference  in our lives.

Only God makes us  “perfect”.     And He does that  by helping us  to grow in faith,  because we are made perfect  through faith alone  in Jesus Christ.     God will  “confirm” His children.    He will help them to resolutely stand strong  in His truths  as given  in His word,  the Bible.     And then,  our heavenly Father will  “strengthen” us  in our spiritual knowledge  of His being.     And finally,  our LORD will  “establish”  us.     He will build us up  on the strong foundation  of His word and promises.

So, what have we done  to earn  heaven?     Nothing.

We listen  to God’s word  and let Him work  in our hearts  and minds.     To Him belongs all the glory.

When we realize  that all the glory  truly belongs  to God  and His salvation  in Jesus Christ,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  thank You for giving us  Your eternal word  in the Bible  that we might truly know  that You really are  “the God of all grace”.     Thank You  for calling me  into the fold  of Your sheep.     There is no better place to be.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

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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