Grace Prevails

Isaiah goes into some heavy Messianic prophecies in today's reading. What must it have been like for Isaiah to write these things beforehand? I wonder if he was amazed at his writing. I wonder if he had any idea what he was in fact predicting. Isaiah 53 is profound - Isaiah speaks of the Messiah in past tense! He must have been WAY out there!

Today's reading in Ephesians: First, chapter 5.1-2 is pretty much pure ‘WWJD’ (What Would Jesus Do) as a guide for everything we do. Then Paul reverts to laying out some law (or so it seems) in verse 3-5. I am sure the whole 'grace thing' was difficult for Paul. I am absolutely certain no person accustomed to living by any set of rules transitions easily when those rules are removed.

What I struggle with the most is what appears to be a double standard in the presentation of grace versus works. I personally discern a vacillation between the two in Paul's writings. In his letter to the Romans, Paul reveals that (as a believer) he does things he knows are wrong (Romans 7.15: "I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate."). That is all well and good except when reading Ephesians 5.5 I find it saying that no person, "immoral, impure, or greedy will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God." How can this be? Can a believer sin? Is Paul saying he will not be saved? Really?

I must conclude that the message of grace prevails. In context of the entire New Testament, with Jesus Himself redefining one of the Ten Commandments (broke the Sabbath), I believe we must strive to see grace. We are changed by Christ; not by ourselves or even by the will of those around us, but by Christ alone.

I'm going WAY out on a limb here... I conclude that the message of the Bible is not at all about my 'act of living right'. The focus of my life is not to 'get it right' legally. The focus of my life should be to live and walk in love toward God and man - the natural fruit of which (spelled out previously in Galatians) will be better than sinlessness - it will be Godliness.

What is my goal: To live sinless or to live Godly?

Obviously, I will fail over and again to be sinless. But, as I genuinely learn to love God and man (by faithful Bible reading, prayer, and fellowship with others), my life will bear progressive evidence of Godliness (allegiance to Christ evidenced by love). If I don't read the New Testament with this understanding, then the grace/works comparison makes no sense whatsoever and appears utterly irreconcilable.

WE ARE SINNERS. And although we cannot fix ourselves, we must confess our sinfulness, repent of it, and spend the rest of our efforts loving God and loving man. Show me the person who does this, and I will show you the person who truly walks in saving faith.

God, I am a sinner. I am sorry for it, for all it manifests in my life, and for the price it cost at the cross of Christ. Help me trust Your amazing grace found in Jesus by thankfully walking in love toward You and mankind.