Day 119 "Grace Points The Way To Discover Love"

The iconic Statue of Liberty has graced the harbor of New York City for nearly 114 years since it was first opened to the public by President Grover Cleveland on October 28, 1886. Millions of immigrants have since passed by her torch of enlightenment which lights a way towards freedom and illuminates a pathway to liberty and hope. I can only imagine how this symbol of freedom and opportunity met the eyes of these sojourners who had traveled from afar, crossing over the ocean, leaving behind their old lives and family in order to follow their dreams for starting a new life here in America, the land of opportunity.

All that was possible awaited them upon the shores beyond the welcoming statue. It would have been a shame if these travelers, having traveled so far and risked so much, to have stopped at the statue and never went beyond its shadow to experience the life that awaited them ahead.

Likewise, one of the greatest joys and source of freedom that awaits a Christian is to encounter and experience God's grace, his unmerited favor and unearned gift to each one of us. When I first came upon God's grace in the book of Ephesians, my life was full of fear, anxiety, and insecurity. Drifting through life, I felt like a piece of driftwood being carried along on the river of life, having little direction to where I was going and no idea of a port of call for which to stop and seek out help. The Apostle Paul described my situation pretty well:

"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 not at work in those who are disobedient." Ephesians 2:1-2

"All of us 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." Ephesians 2:3

Not only was I going no where with my life, but I also dreaded the approaching day where I would stand before a holy and righteous God and give an account of my life.

"You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. " Romans 14:10

"So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God." Romans 14:2

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13

Get my point? You ever feel the same fear? But there was hope for a better life awaiting me just ahead when I discovered God's grace.

"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 our transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved." Ephesians 2:4-5

"This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe."

Romans 3:22

"and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ." Romans 3:24

And here is where it starts really getting good! Not only did God forgive all of our sins past, present, and future through Christ, but he also extended his grace, his unmerited favor and blessed us on top of it!

"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those in Christ." Romans 8:1

"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 kindness to us in Jesus Christ." Ephesians 2:6-7

"Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ," Romans 8:17

The reality of it all is that you and I did nothing to deserve or merit this. In a world that is dominated by the need to perform and work out our own destiny, God's grace steps in and uncharacteristically changes everything- our relationship with God is dependent on our faith only, our effort can add nothing to it nor can it take anything away!

"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." Ephesians 2:8-9

This is the "good news" of the gospel-that God loved us so much that he sent his one and only Son into the world to save us from ourselves and do for us what we were unable to do for ourselves. God's gift to us out of his love for us.

Now, here is the rub. God didn't save us to leave us with just "grace," itself. No, he wanted much more for us than just our freedom. He wanted us to experience an intimate relationship with him in love. Yes, love is the final destiny, the port of call that are hearts are yearning and longing for. It is why God created us in the first place. But like the Statue of Liberty awaiting the emigrants looking for a better life, it wasn't the statue itself that was the new life. It was only a marker, something pointing the way. God's grace is liken unto that statue. If we stayed only in grace, we would miss out on understanding and knowing God's heart and tend to remain like children opening up our presents on Christmas morning with the attitude that it is all about "me." God desires much more for us than this. He desires to make us whole through his love, and, then, allow us the privilege of loving others through us. Grace is God's calling card which woos us and restores our relationship with him. It is not intended to be what hold us or causes us to want to stay in a relationship with God or motivates us to want to do God's will. If you were to take away grace, love would still exist and remain. However, if you were to take away love, grace would no longer exist. Grace is our point of call that transforms us from a vagabond into a saint, a child of God. Love establishes our birthright and identity. Although grace is intoxicating when we have been set free from our works and performing before God, it is not the promised land. It is only a brochure that invites us to come and discover something even better. How we continue to travel down this river of life will depend on how we see ourselves through God's love.

"Perfect love casts out all fear." 1 John 4:18

"We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19

So, my friend, if you have been floundering through life and failing to get pointed in the right direction, may I suggest to you God's boat called grace to restore you and provide you with the means to travel the rest of the way down river. But it will not be grace, itself, that will guide you ultimately onward, but will be the very breath of God's love, his Spirit like the wind, that will fill your sails and navigate your boat in the direction that will bring you all the way back home to him. God's grace is great. But God's love is even greater!

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"Follow the way of love" 1 Corinthians 14:1

"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

Do everything in love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

The question is, "Now that you have been set free from yourself and any condemnation, how shall you travel the rest of your life down river? I contend, the best way to travel is with love.

In his love, see you again tomorrow...

"Carpe Momentum in Love" ( Seize the moment in love)