GRACE AND THE CROSS

There is considerable frustration when we try to produce our own righteousness instead of faith in the work of the Cross. We can think we are holy because we don’t do bad things… often we don’t want to do them anyway. We can think we are holy because we do good things… It is neither. It is the Cross of Christ.

The moment we offer something…more Bible study, more prayer, disciplines, more religious meetings, conferences, more books, classes, seminars…. no meat, wearing a big a robe, beads, a Jewish beanie (kippah), a collar, a big cross around the neck… whatever… thinking this promotes or brings more Grace… we might be frustrating the Grace of God by being religious. Some of these things might be beneficial but they also could be substitutes for grace. The grace of God is Faith in the Cross of Christ.

Car and Furniture Dealers often offer more Grace than Christians. Their commercials say this:
“No credit? It’s o.k.”
“No job? That’s all right”
“Divorced? o.k.”
“In the military? We’ll take you”
“Bad debt?” Come see us”
“Bankruptcy? We understand”
“Criminal record? We don’t care.”
“NO turn downs”
“Pre-approved”
I want to be around Christians with this much Grace!
This sounds like the people Jesus accepted.

“For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.” Jesus