Grace and Peace to you!
I have wondered about how many things in life are passed by because we just do not understand them. Sometimes we think that something might be too complicated. Sometimes we think that we know all about it. Sometimes we just do not care to know anything more about it.
I think that this is also the response that some have with Christianity. I think that this attitude of not understanding or not wanting to understand has led to many misunderstandings about Christianity. One misunderstanding that I have heard is when a person questions that they are too sinful to be saved.
Yes, it is true that scripture points out to us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) This means everyone and not just those who are more sinful than others. The Bible makes it clear that there isn’t a single person who has ever lived who has been without sin except for Jesus Christ.
In fact, the Bible points out a number of sinful people from Abraham and Sarah to King David to Paul. The sinful people are shown to us to let us know that indeed all have sinned, but all can be redeemed and find favor with God. Abraham and Sarah are pointed out to have been saved by faith. David repented and was forgiven. Paul turned from a life of persecuting Christians to becoming a martyr in his faith in Christ.
Another misunderstanding closely related to thinking that you might have too many sins is when you start to think that you have not done enough to earn your salvation. However, scripture again clearly states that we cannot do anything to earn a place in heaven. In fact, scripture points out specifically that none of a person’s salvation can be reached or earned by them or their actions. It is a gift from God.
Logically, if we could earn any part of our being redeemed from our sin, what would that mean about the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross? It would mean that Jesus’ death and resurrection wasn’t quite enough; that the cross alone isn’t enough!
Scripture points us toward knowing and believing that our salvation is not based on our good deeds. And it’s not limited by our sins. We look to Jesus Christ alone for our salvation. We look nowhere else for reconciliation to God but to the blood of Christ shed for us on the cross.
Even in our faith-filled lives we will find that we still live in a world of sin and have to put up with heartache from time to time. But there is no need to despair, ever. We’re on our way to heaven through faith in Jesus. God’s grace makes a difference for this life in that it gives us hope and a reason to persevere through life’s challenges.
God’s grace also makes a difference in another way for this life. God’s grace doesn’t just save us from sin, it also empowers us for good works. In response to God’s gift of grace, we want to share this good news with everyone as well as continue loving and serving God and each other!
In Christ!
Pastor Bakker
8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NRSV)
I have wondered about how many things in life are passed by because we just do not understand them. Sometimes we think that something might be too complicated. Sometimes we think that we know all about it. Sometimes we just do not care to know anything more about it.
I think that this is also the response that some have with Christianity. I think that this attitude of not understanding or not wanting to understand has led to many misunderstandings about Christianity. One misunderstanding that I have heard is when a person questions that they are too sinful to be saved.
Yes, it is true that scripture points out to us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) This means everyone and not just those who are more sinful than others. The Bible makes it clear that there isn’t a single person who has ever lived who has been without sin except for Jesus Christ.
In fact, the Bible points out a number of sinful people from Abraham and Sarah to King David to Paul. The sinful people are shown to us to let us know that indeed all have sinned, but all can be redeemed and find favor with God. Abraham and Sarah are pointed out to have been saved by faith. David repented and was forgiven. Paul turned from a life of persecuting Christians to becoming a martyr in his faith in Christ.
Another misunderstanding closely related to thinking that you might have too many sins is when you start to think that you have not done enough to earn your salvation. However, scripture again clearly states that we cannot do anything to earn a place in heaven. In fact, scripture points out specifically that none of a person’s salvation can be reached or earned by them or their actions. It is a gift from God.
Logically, if we could earn any part of our being redeemed from our sin, what would that mean about the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross? It would mean that Jesus’ death and resurrection wasn’t quite enough; that the cross alone isn’t enough!
Scripture points us toward knowing and believing that our salvation is not based on our good deeds. And it’s not limited by our sins. We look to Jesus Christ alone for our salvation. We look nowhere else for reconciliation to God but to the blood of Christ shed for us on the cross.
Even in our faith-filled lives we will find that we still live in a world of sin and have to put up with heartache from time to time. But there is no need to despair, ever. We’re on our way to heaven through faith in Jesus. God’s grace makes a difference for this life in that it gives us hope and a reason to persevere through life’s challenges.
God’s grace also makes a difference in another way for this life. God’s grace doesn’t just save us from sin, it also empowers us for good works. In response to God’s gift of grace, we want to share this good news with everyone as well as continue loving and serving God and each other!
In Christ!
Pastor Bakker
8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— 9not the result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NRSV)