If life is… “because I have to”—where’s the joy in that? Too often I hear folks rejecting Christ because they think the Christian life is all about rules and regulations—all about stifling and suffocating ritual.
This happens when we confuse Christ with legalism. Legalism is joyless because it’s endless. There’s always another class to attend. Inmates incarcerated in self-salvation find work, but never joy!
Grace! It makes all the difference. I like this quote: “Gone are the exertions of law-keeping, gone the disciplines of legalism, the anxiety that having done everything we might not have done enough. We reach the goal, not by the stairs, but by the lift—God pledges his promised righteousness to those who will stop trying to save themselves!”
Grace offers rest. Legalism? Never!
From GRACE by Max Lucado
God's never ceasing GRACE...I have found that trying to "run" my life is much harder that living in God's Grace. And it's SO exhausting!
In order for me to follow His lead in this adventure, He is constantly giving me opportunities to USE what He is teaching me. Asking God to teach me His Grace may be like praying for patience...only I DO know not to do that one! Been there, Done that!
Learning how to have Grace with others is seeing them in a different light...God's light. I listen more intently on the content of WHAT they are saying and listen HOW they are saying it.
Late last week I was trying to set up an appointment with someone to talk with them about helping out in a group at church, we just could not get a time that worked for both of us. They had apologized for taking so long in getting back with me (which was 2 days...lol) and letting me know that the time set was not going work to either. I told them it was ok and we would find another time. They thanked me for the GRACE I showed them... That really hit me... It spread over me like a blanket. So, this is what I am to show other people... This is the meaning of Grace. God shows me this kind of Grace EVERY MINUTE of EVERY DAY. Well, I thought that was easy...HA!! So when the next time to listen to someone, of course my "self" wanted to "add to the conversation", but I asked myself how would God "handle" the situation if it were Him? So, I LISTENED to all the person had to say and didn't say a word until they were done. I was praying about what HE would want me so say and when I did speak, it was with words of afirmation and building up that person. I guess the key for me is to BE QUIET and LISTEN more...
Now...if I can learn to do that ALL THE TIME! **struggle**
Joy is what God wants for all of us. In learning to walk with Grace, Joy is given, freely and abundantly!
Grace....
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