The purpose of Monday Manna to get together and get to know Christ more through His Word. Each Thursday, a Bible verse to ponder will be posted, either here or at my dear friend Vonnie's blog, My Back Door. The following Monday, those participating will post their thoughts on the verse at their own blogs and link up at the bottom of the post in the Mr. Linky gadget. The main purpose is to chew on the same Scripture and learn from one another.
I'm hosting this week. And here's the verse.
I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! Galatians 2:21Looking forward to your thoughts. Mine are below.
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Grace. I have several thoughts when I hear this word. One of them, believe it or not, is my daughter. She is a wonderful girl, but not more giving of grace than most. It's just that her name, Annika, means grace in Swedish (no - we're not Swedish. We just liked the name). I also think of the several kids I know and have known with that name.
Still, that is not the grace this verse talks about. Grace in this context is the Lord's unmerited favor on man, who deserves the exact opposite. I'm sure most, if not all, of you have seen the acronym GRACE - God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Those riches in today's verse refer to the righteousness of God. God gives us the gift of righteousness (faultlessness in morality--perfection in God's eyes) when we, of course are undeserving. Not one of us is faultless, but the Lord treats us as if we were.
And the cost? The death of His Son on the cross. Christ's death is His expense. And because of this His GRACE is sufficient. Righteousness is through Christ: not the law. Not good works. Not baptism. Not bringing other to Christ. Not reading (or not reading) the Bible. Not living a good life. Not attending church. Not giving to the poor.
For if these things could bring us righteousness, why did the Jews need a messiah? Why was Christ born as a baby? Why did He have to die on the cross? Why indeed.
God's riches at Christ's expense. The only way to be in the Lord's family. No matter your name.
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Thanks for reading! Be sure to check out others' thoughts in the gadget below, and/or write up your own thoughts and link up yourself.
Riding God's Grace Over Rough Roads
Ah, this is exactly what our pastor's latest series has been about, called "How to be a good Christian and other religious nonsense." I thought of it when I started reading Manna. I would add: There are no labels in heaven, only "whosoevers."
ReplyDeleteWhere would we be without His grace?
ReplyDeleteDid you know that my middle name is Grace? It runs in our family - my grandmother, me, and also my daughter. (I hope it keeps on going.)
ReplyDeleteGreat post, and great thoughts!
I thank Him each day for his grace. Indeed,where would we be?
ReplyDeleteYour daughter's name is even more beautiful when I know what it means!
ReplyDelete