HIS GRACE
The more unworthy you feel yourself to be, the more evidence have you that nothing but unspeakable love could have led the Lord Jesus to save such a soul as yours. The more demerit you feel, the clearer is the display of the abounding love of God in having chosen you, and called you, and made you an heir of bliss. Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
Grace is a beautiful word. This is God’s word to describe what He is prepared to do for all of us. When we are ready to make a vow of devotion to Jesus (which is to accept His sacrifice on our behalf by devoting ourselves to a lifelong journey of being a follower of Jesus) grace is given. Does God still see all my imperfections? Of course He does. Grace does not mean God ignores my faults. Grace means that now my faults can be forgiven.
longing
When we are honest about God’s expectations and encouragingly patient with people in their efforts to change, everyone can feel safe to be authentic. Why? Because something deep inside of me longs to know what my Creator expects of me. And, something deep inside of me longs for a community of people to lovingly walk with me while I try to both learn and embrace those expectations.
Here is another great Bible verse for you to read. It comes from Hebrews 10:14 (NLT). “For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.” He treats us like we are perfect while leading us on a wonderful journey of learning how to overcome our imperfections! Hypocrisy is pretending to be perfect. Christianity is reaching beyond my imperfections.
Isaiah 53
...But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us. We thought he brought it on himself, that God was punishing him for his own failures. But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole. Through his bruises we get healed. We’re all like sheep who’ve wandered off and gotten lost. We’ve all done our own thing, gone our own way. And God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong, on him, on him... (MSG excerpt)
hope
I will always be desperate for grace. My need for God is immeasurable. Paul writes in Philippians 1:6 (NLT) “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” There is a work that God is doing in you! This desire you feel to be more like Jesus comes from God working in you! This model for discipleship is to help focus you on the work that you need to be doing, that we all need to be doing…reaching beyond our imperfections while forever relying on His grace! The Praxis Booklet will provide you with everything you need to begin your discipleship journey!