Monday, April 8, 2024
If you could ask God a question, what would it be? I would love to ask him, “Why did you give us free will?”
I can only speak for myself when I say God knows I keep running riot on my free will. Why did he give it to me to begin with? I sin even when I don’t want to. What’s the point?
Romans 6:14
Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
Jesus came to show us that adhering to religious rules and traditions won’t earn our salvation. We can’t pray, give, or do enough to earn our way into heaven. The perfect Christian doesn’t exist. Even Mother Teresa needed God’s grace!
Two contrasting spiritual conditions repeatedly surface in the characters of the New Testament. There are those who recognize their sickness and those who don’t (Luke 5:27-32).
The Jewish religious leaders thought that all their rituals made them right with God, but Jesus often corrected them. He challenged their hearts and thoughts toward others, and they hated him for it.
In contrast, Jesus embraced tax collectors and prostitutes, who welcomed him because he offered them grace. They knew they were sick—they could never live up to religious standards and needed what Jesus had to offer.
Accepting Jesus’ gift of grace tends to change the heart. Instead of acting out of a perceived religious obligation, those who accept grace, act out of love.
It’s suddenly becoming clearer why God gave us free will. Consider hearing your child tell you, “You're my (mom/dad), I HAVE to love you!” Or imagine your parents declaring something similar. Ouch!
God, like us, doesn’t want to be loved out of obligation. Instead, he wants our love to be out of gratitude for his deep love for us, demonstrated by his grace. Grace is undeserved forgiveness that brings love—the antidote to religion.
Questions:
What question would you ask God?
Is there a religious standard that you’ve been trying to live up to (Bible reading, church attendance, tithing, etc.) in order to earn tickets with God? Does falling short of your goal or others’ expectations leave you wondering about your relationship with Christ? If so, how can you rest in his grace?
Next Steps:
Confess to God that you know you are not living up to his standards and ask for his forgiveness. Accept his gift of grace. Journal the experience, or share it with someone.
Prayer:
Father, I am far from perfect. I accept your gift of grace through your son, Jesus. I sin even when I do not want to and, sometimes, without knowledge. Show me, Lord, what is in me that needs to be confessed. Come into my heart, clean it, and take away my guilt. Help me to live better each day out of love for you rather than religious obligation. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Romans 6:14
Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
This post was written by Julie Estep, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.