SCRIPTURE: II Corinthians 5:14-15 – For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
COMMENTARY: When we take God’s grace for granted, we cheapen it. Cheap grace says, “If God loves me so much and is so powerful then he won’t ask me to do anything too hard, and he’ll give me everything I need.” Hear this though: if you only signed on for the pleasure cruise, being a disciple of Jesus Christ will be a big disappointment. We are not to live for ourselves, because he died for us. We are to live for him and die to ourselves because he died for us.
Full commitment to Christ is both a decision and a process. At each moment, we are asked to live completely for him and not for ourselves. We make that choice literally dozens of times each day. If we are serious about following him, God will take us deeper into the depths of his heart. There will be even more difficult decisions, but you will gain the strength to face them by obedience today. Cling to him and let him change your life.
REFLECTION: What is the difference between cheap grace and costly grace in your life? When, where and how have you seen grace treated as an “unlimited credit card”? What were the results in people’s lives? Answer those last two questions, but about costly grace. Which kind of grace makes you spiritually “thirsty”? Are you trying to become a disciple of Jesus Christ “on your own terms” or according to God’s Word?
No comments:
Post a Comment