The Way DAY 35 - Our Sin and Our Savior

DAY 35 - Our Sin and Our Savior

Ephesians 2:8-10

How can we make sure we show people grace like Jesus does?

Know grace. We have to know grace! Know grace by knowing your sin and your Savior. 

Confront and confess your sins. Don’t be afraid to be specific. Don’t be afraid to say how awful sin really is. One of the old confessions before Communion says, “We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed, by thought, word, and deed, against thy divine majesty.” We must also be specific in naming our sins. “I’m sorry what I said to you” is more powerful than a vague “I’m sorry.” 

But more than that, name and know your savior. His name is Jesus Christ. He’s grace in person! The more you look at Jesus, the more you pray, the more you worship him, the more you’re with him, you’ll find two impossible things happening at the same time. 

First, you’ll see the awful weight of your sin like never before because you see the awesome beauty of Jesus Christ. If your sin needed a cure that strong, then how deadly must sin really be? And look at how good he is! He was rejected so we can be received in him. He took our place. He pays the debt of sin. His rejection is our salvation. You’ll see the awfulness of sin as you see the awesomeness of Jesus Christ. 

Second, you’ll see the depth of God’s grace. The more you look you at Jesus Christ, the more certain you’ll be that God loves you. Nothing - no sin, no suffering - could ever separate you from that love. You’ll see the truth of what Tim Keller said, “We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” You’ll show people more grace the more you know his amazing grace.

REFLECT
How does knowing Jesus and his grace change the way we view our own mistakes and the mistakes of others? How can we grow a deeper understanding of grace in our daily lives?

PRAY
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Jesus, for your grace! Knowing your goodness and your sacrifice tells me how truly awful sin is. Thank you for saving me. Amen.