And you were dead in trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places of Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God.  Ephesians 2:1-8 ESV

Some of us grow up in Christian homes where we are taught from birth about Jesus and God’s love for us and we get it.  While others, like myself, get it but go out on our own for a while and figure out that the grass really isn’t any greener.  I am very thankful that I got my business straight with God when I did.  It has really saved me a lot of heartache.  But sadly, there are some that just flat out reject God.  We are told to not associate with evil, but we were sinners in the beginning, so what really separates us from them?  Well, our scripture says it’s God’s grace through faith.

It is easy for us to be saved and feel so good about ourselves that it turns to pride.  What I mean is that it is so easy for us to look down our nose at those poor, pitiful sinners that just don’t get it.  Now don’t get all indignant on me now, you know what I’m talking about.  You stand in shock and awe at the things that some people do.  While working in law enforcement, I used to think I had seen it all.  But, then someone would pull something new and again I would be surprised.  Well I hate to burst your little bubble, but sin is sin all day long.  There is no sin that is worse than any other sin.  So, the one who gossips about the one who is committing adultery, or stealing, or lying is just as guilty.  Hmm, there’s something for us all to chew on.

There is a phrase that says, “By the grace of God, go I”.  Now this phrase is not in the Bible word for word, but this scripture passage sums it up for us.  You see we too at some point were miserable sinners.  We too were drowning in sin and shame, until God called us out and took our hands and lead us toward salvation.  I don’t know about you, but I have committed sins that I am not proud of.  I have no right to look down on any other sinner.  The only difference between any other sinner and me, is that I accepted the grace that God offers us.  So I am still a sinner, I’m just forgiven and joyful and peaceful.  I am no longer a miserable sinner, just a sinner.

So this gives me no right to judge anyone else for their actions or their behaviors.  I have no right to sit on my high horse and talk down about other sinners.  I still do sometimes because I am still a sinner, I just have the good sense to ask God each and every day to forgive me and help me stop.  I have the good sense to forgive those that have offended me (Matthew 6:14-15).   I didn’t always have this good sense, for years I was drowning in my sin and unforgiveness.  I finally realized that Jesus Christ was the only way to true peace and joy in my life.  I finally realized that only through Jesus Christ could I enjoy the benefits of His grace and mercy that are offered to me.

So, you see, the scripture tells us that we are all dirty rotten sinners.  Kind of makes you wonder why Jesus would go through what He did for us, doesn’t it?  But that’s the kind of love that I just can’t wrap my head around.  None of us are worthy, but all of us are able to draw near to Him because of what Jesus did for us on that cross.

The saved and the unsaved are separated by God’s grace.  God’s grace is offered to each and every one of us, but only some of us will accept it.  God will never force it on you, you must choose to accept it. Now it seems like a no brainer, but we all have a million reasons why we choose not to accept it.  We think that being a Christian is just no fun.  We think that we will have to give up all the things we enjoy.  I get it, I’ve been there, done that.  But let me tell you there is nothing I gave up that I miss.  There is nothing I gave up that I am not so glad that I did.  It’s like giving up poverty to become a millionaire.  It truly is a no brainer.  The only thing that separates the forgiven sinners from those that are drowning in their sin, is God’s grace.  Some accept it, believe in Him, and have faith and some don’t.

My prayer for you today is that you accept God’s grace.  I promise you there is no better gift on this planet.  And this is just the beginning, this is accepting God’s invitation to spend eternity in heaven.  Like I said, it’s a no brainer.

Have a great day!