My Story: Accepting Grace

We were recently challenged at church to share our faith in some small way. Posting a verse on social media was one idea. I did that, but why stop there? Though I don’t have a huge audience, I’d like to share with those who are following here. What makes me love God? Why do I believe in Him? Today I’m talking about His Grace.

Accepting Grace

Let’s start at the beginning: when I was a little girl. I grew up in a Christian home and was surrounded by Christian influences. Church was our world. If you know me personally, then you know that I am a rule follower. I like to know what’s expected of me and meet those expectations to a T. So as I grew up in my Christian “bubble”, the rules became my focus. I most definitely believed and loved Jesus, but I think that was the case mostly because it’s what I had been taught. It’s what I was told was the truth.

I grew up learning about the Bible and that we’re saved by faith (believing in Jesus) and not by works (the things we do). However, being that rule follower, I focused on the do’s and do not’s. Somewhere down inside I think I felt I had to earn or work to keep my salvation. Guys that’s just not true (Ephesians 2:8 NIV). There are certainly things that a Christian should do and ways that we should act. However, we don’t do them to earn grace. It’s not something we can earn. It’s a gift, freely given if we’ll accept it. That’s something that’s really hit home recently. Grace. I can’t earn it. I don’t deserve it. But I have it. Jesus gives it to me.

If you think about it, though, there’s something freeing in realizing that you CAN’T earn grace. You don’t have this big checklist to complete before He’ll accept you. You don’t have to fix things about yourself or “clean yourself up”. He loves you just as you are. It takes the pressure off doesn’t it? If you’re wondering why we even need grace, read on and I’ll tell you more.

Why Is Grace Needed?

I believe that God is perfect. I also believe that we are not. Why? A long time ago Adam and Eve chose to disobey God and brought what we call sin into the world (Genesis 3). It infects us all like a virus and separates us from God.

And there’s nothing we in ourselves can do to fix it.

But the good thing…the AMAZING thing…is that we don’t have to. That’s grace, my friend. God sent Jesus to die and take our sin on Himself…all of it…so that we can be with God again. He isn’t dead anymore, though. The great thing is that He rose from the dead! (Luke 23 and Luke 24) All we have to do is believe. And that’s GRACE. We just have to accept it.

Pray To Accept Grace

If you’re ready to accept that free gift of grace, pray this prayer: “Dear Jesus, I’ve done wrong and I’m sorry. Thank you for dying for me and rising from the dead. I accept your forgiveness. Amen.” It’s that simple!

If you prayed today or have questions, I’d love to hear from you. I can’t promise that I’ll know the answers, but I’ll certainly try to answer your questions or find an answer. Contact me here.