February 3rd, 2023
Friday, February 3
Paradox of Grace
By: Pastor Todd Crofford
C.S. Lewis is considered to be one of the most influential of modern Christian theologians and philosophers. During a British conference on comparative religions, there was a raging discussion about what, if anything, makes Christianity unique from all other world religions. The debate continued for a long while, and then C. S. Lewis wandered into the room. They told him the question at hand and he immediately responded, "Oh, that's easy. It's grace."
Most religions focus on our path to get to God. Follow the Buddhist eight-fold path, get in line with the Muslim Code of Law, find your way out of the cycle of reincarnation, or even buy into the sacrificial system of the Jewish faith. Then along comes Jesus and does all the work to restore us to the Father and freely offers us the benefits. All we need to do is repent and receive.
However, be cautioned that God’s grace is not cause for shoddy living. Paul addressed this when he wrote, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means… for we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with.” (Romans 6:1-2, 6 NIV)
This is the paradox of grace. We receive it freely for the cleansing of our sins and that same grace drives us to not want to sin. Both are vital to our lives.
We must live under the assurance that there is grace that covers us when we fall short, and with the awareness of the costly nature of grace that drives us to honor God by how we live.
Paradox of Grace
By: Pastor Todd Crofford
C.S. Lewis is considered to be one of the most influential of modern Christian theologians and philosophers. During a British conference on comparative religions, there was a raging discussion about what, if anything, makes Christianity unique from all other world religions. The debate continued for a long while, and then C. S. Lewis wandered into the room. They told him the question at hand and he immediately responded, "Oh, that's easy. It's grace."
Most religions focus on our path to get to God. Follow the Buddhist eight-fold path, get in line with the Muslim Code of Law, find your way out of the cycle of reincarnation, or even buy into the sacrificial system of the Jewish faith. Then along comes Jesus and does all the work to restore us to the Father and freely offers us the benefits. All we need to do is repent and receive.
However, be cautioned that God’s grace is not cause for shoddy living. Paul addressed this when he wrote, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means… for we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with.” (Romans 6:1-2, 6 NIV)
This is the paradox of grace. We receive it freely for the cleansing of our sins and that same grace drives us to not want to sin. Both are vital to our lives.
We must live under the assurance that there is grace that covers us when we fall short, and with the awareness of the costly nature of grace that drives us to honor God by how we live.
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2023
January
Daily PowerOur Heart MusclesBlessing Our NeighborsStay in the FightTime to ChangeWell, this is Practical!Keep it to YourselfHumility in FastingSupernatural WisdomMore of YouThese Crazy PeopleCrazy PeopleConvictionOverwhelmedAs Legitimate as Porcelain PieHunger For MoreLove the LightA Fulfillment that DeliversSatisfactionContent With What IsHow Great is Our GodEnough
February
The Goodness of GodDaring God's GoodnessParadox of GraceThe God Who Knows It AllDo Good for the Right ReasonsLet Down Your NetWhy Not Me?His Gift is FreeIntegrity Matters to GodThe Gate is NarrowDoes the End Justify the Means?Point to HimWhat is Right is Not Always EasyDying to SelfPricelessAwake, Sleeper!Sunday BurnMake Me HolyAbove All Else Put On LoveSearch Me, Lord
March
Turning EvilForgive But Not Forget?You Can Only Love God As Much...It's Not All About YouOpen HandsAre we giving God what is rightfully His?A Cheerful GiverGod is Pretty SpecificThe Known GodHumble, Not ProudJesus Changes EverythingIt is DifferentCut Me Some SlackFully KnownGood at ExhortationQuenching the SpiritGrace and TruthLife is Not FairGet Back Up AgainAllowancesOrdinary PeopleAt The Feet of JesusThe Throne of Grace
April
Hosanna!The Last StrawEyes Wide OpenSunday's ComingStay the CourseNot EnoughSpeaking BoldlyJesus is AliveDeath's StingEyes to SeeUninvitedThey're Always Together!Fruit ImpressionsToo Many TabsMessy GraceNoticed the UnnoticeableThree PromisesMutually EncouragedLife is not TriedPatiently, With Confidence
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