Grace

We are all familiar with Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard" (NLT). But have you ever noticed the verses on either side of it?

"We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are" (Romans 3:22 NLT).

"Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins" (Romans 3:24 NLT).

Wow!!! How great is God's grace in Christ toward sinners who trust in Jesus to take away their sins. I love the phrase "no matter who we are." In the context of Romans it means whether we are a religious Jew or a pagan Gentile the grace of God in Christ takes away our sin when we trust in Him. But the application is much broader. No matter our race, class, nationality, education, past sins, and so on, God's grace in Christ will take away our sins when we trust in Him. How truly amazing is His grace! We do not earn it by our goodness we simply receive it as a gift.

Father, I praise You for Your amazing grace that has reached down to me in Christ. Thank you for taking away my sin and making me right with You through His cross. Help me to walk in the freedom and power of Your grace today.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark