Day 47 "If By Grace, Then It Is No Longer By Works" (Romans: Chapter Eleven)

It's tough to submit oneself under the authority of another, isn't it? We seem to be a species that likes to be in control of our own lives and resist any attempt by someone else to usurp our independence and will. I think we find that to be partic- ularly true in the work place where we attach a fair amount of our personal esteem to the performance of our work. All is well so long as you perceive that you are performing well. But performance can be subjective depending on who is doing the evaluation. Therefore, for many of us, there seems to be some anxiety just below the surface level never quite knowing how one is doing until that evaluation by our boss is done.

In the same vein, many of us feel anxiety over the long term as we live are lives unsure of exactly how God is judging us. (See Day 5 "In The Boxing Ring With God") But the eleventh chapter of Romans helps to assure us that our relationship with God is based on love and grace, not due to our performance.

Verse 5: "So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace."

Verse 11 "because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel

envious."

Verse 15: "For if their rejection (Israel) is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?"

Verse 19: "You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." (Gentiles grafted into God's family)

Verse 20: "Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith."

Verse 22: "Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness."

Verse 23: "And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to

graft them in again."

Verse 25: "Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of Gentiles has come in."

Verse 32: "For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all."

Verse 36: "For from him and through him and to him are all things."

Key verses for me:

Verse 6: "And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace."

Verse 18: "You do not support the root, but the root supports you."

Verse 29: "for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable."

If Israel was rejected for their unbelief, and the Gentiles were grafted into God's family because of their faith and belief, then we can lay to rest the concept that our relationship with God is earned by our performance before God. If our performance did not earn it, then our performance cannot undo it. Rest, then, and do not let false anxiety rule the roost.

Know that in Christ, you have been made holy and righteous just like him. God sees you no differently then Jesus himself. Rejoice in your spirit! For you have been liberated from anything that resembles performance before God.

*******************************************************************************

As the Coronavirus is steadily making its way into our lives, you peace and inner joy will be derived from your eternal perspective to all things. This is not your permanent home. Everything here is temporary in nature. But as you live here, God's word encourages us to do one thing- to love. So, I encourage you, in everything you do, do so out of love. In a time where people will begin panicking, hoarding, fearing, and dreading, there will be those rays of light illuminating those people who are more concerned for others than they are for themselves. Since your days are numbered with or without the Coronavirus, live your life here as a visitor on Earth. Invest your time and efforts wisely. Imagine, for a moment, that if your life were to end today, what will you have wished that you had given your life away to? To love is the sincerest and best way to live one's life and leave a legacy for others to follow.

"Carpe Momentum in Love"

(Seize the Moment in Love)

In Christ, you have already been given an "A" for the test of life. So, go out and live your life like you already have your "A."

See you tomorrow...