Stop It!

It is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Only when you know deep down in your soul that you have been saved by God’s grace and that you are loved unconditionally and fully forgiven will you stop doing so many things that ruthlessly rob you of the joy of your salvation.

• Trying to earn God’s favor? STOP IT!
• Trying to receive God’s blessing? STOP IT!
• Trying to win God’s affection? STOP IT!
• Trying to deserve God’s approval? STOP IT!
• Trying to merit God’s mercy? STOP IT!
• Trying to do good to get God’s grace? STOP IT!

When Jesus cried out from the cross, “It is finished,” He meant what He said! The penalty for your pardon and acceptance has been paid in full. Jesus did not make a down-payment; He did not make a few installment payments; Jesus paid the penalty for your sin fully and finally and forever. You have been set free from the bondage to yourself and have been united to Jesus as the source of every imaginable joy and blessing. You need not try to receive it; you simply need to rest in the reality of it. The world says you have to measure up in order to get what you are looking for out of life, but God’s Word says Jesus has measured up for you and has already given you everything you need.

You see, the Law says “Do,” but the Gospel says “‘”Done!” You need to stop expecting the Law to do what the Gospel has already done. The Law was never intended to save and sanctify you; the Law was given to drive you to your knees before the only One who could do it for you. Transferring your trust to Jesus will empower you to stop looking at yourself to do, do, do, and fix your eyes of your Savior, who has done it all.

One final thing: You can stop running from God when you mess things up, because Jesus has already nailed your mess to the cross and cleansed it with His blood. Just repent and rest in the reality of your redemption, because there is nothing in the universe –absolutely nothing — that can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus.  

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!