Grace Notes: Gracious Saving Love
“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 AMP
Grace Perspective:
Salvation, the greatest expression of love, comes through Jesus Christ. God the Father loved the world (the people He created in His own image) so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to secure our salvation and deliver us from the evil schemes of Satan. Satan hates everyone made in God’s image and seeks to destroy those Christ came to save. But God has another plan, salvation through grace.
The grace of God is revealed in Christ Jesus, who longs for all to believe that He is the Son of God and trust Him for eternal life. God gives this amazing gift to everyone who believes that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, for no one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6) God doesn’t desire anyone to perish apart from Christ (2 Peter 3:9) but wants all who are made in His image to repent of sin and receive His gracious salvation, the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus.
A Touch of Grace:
How has God’s love touched your life?
Have you received the gift of salvation in Christ Jesus? If not – what’s holding you back?
If you are in Christ Jesus, how has God’s love transformed your life?
Grace Application:
This week, we are celebrating Valentine’s Day – okay, no rolling of the eyes – a day to focus on love. It is a great time to remember the most significant love shown to us – God’s gift of Jesus. We remember His life and atoning sacrifice because that was why He came into the world, to die for my sin, your sin, the sin of the world. He chose to bear the penalty for all sin so that those who receive His gift of gracious salvation will have eternal life in Heaven. Christ Jesus desires that each of us will choose to accept the love He freely gives to all who trust by,
“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who
for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the
shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2 (NASB)
How do you receive this gift? By admitting that you sin, that you (like everyone) fall short of God’s standard. Once we acknowledge that we rebel against God every time we lie, cheat, gossip, …the list is long…we open our hearts to receive the grace that leads to repentance. Repentance helps,
“to open their [spiritual] eyes so that they may turn from
darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God,
that they may receive forgiveness and release from their
sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified
(set apart, made holy) by faith in Me.’
Acts 26:18 (AMP)
The gift of repentance leads to Salvation in Christ:
“because your sorrow led to repentance [and you turned back to
God]; for you felt a grief such as God meant you to feel, so that
you might not suffer loss in anything on our account. For [godly]
sorrow that is in accord with the will of God produces a
repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but worldly sorrow
[the hopeless sorrow of those who do not believe]
produces death.”
2 Corinthians 7:9b-10 (AMP)
Once the gift of salvation is received, you are secure forever. Nothing can ever separate you from the love of Christ Jesus, providing you with a sense of reassurance and confidence in your faith.
“For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any
doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities,
nor things present and threatening, nor things to come,
nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing,
will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39 (AMP)
Today, if you have not received salvation in Christ Jesus, I ask that you stop all you are doing and receive what He longs for you to have, gracious salvation so that you will be free from the penalty of sin and have eternal life with Him. This is the greatest love ever given – will you receive it?
In His Grace-
Dawn
Prayer:
Gracious Father, I come to You in the precious name of Jesus Christ, my Savior. Thank You for sending Your Son to die for my sin. Thank You for piercing my heart with the knowledge that my sin separated me from You. Forgive me for the times I forget the great pain Jesus suffered to pay for my sin. Holy Spirit help me to quickly repent when I sin and remember the loving gift of salvation I have because of my Savior. May You be honored and glorified as I tell others about the gospel of grace that leads to salvation in Christ. Amen.
**Today, as you read this, I pray each of you will know you are in Christ Jesus. If you have any doubts, please call out to God so that all doubts can be erased. Today is a good day to be assured of Salvation in Christ Jesus. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at graceisdawning@gmail.com**