Captured by Grace
In his book "Captured by Grace" by David Jeremiah he wrote these words, "In the end, we must acknowledge the darknes within us and the light that comes only from God. Both are unrelenting, and both define every moment of life. Every atom in our bodies is infected by the disease of sin, but every atom likewise be covered by the grace of God. The vilest offender can reap the deepest joys of heaven." Earlier, Dr.Jeremiah pointed out in his book that Paul the apostle called himself the "chief" of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) because he had been a persecutor of christians and had christians condemned for their faith.
In fact, it was on the road to Damascus that we find Jesus confronting Paul. He tells us the story in many places, but it is first found in Acts 9 where Paul, who is then called Saul, is on the road to Damascus and he ssees a bright light. Jesus asks Paul, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" He then tells him that he must rise and go into the city and there he will be told what to do. As a result of the vision, he is blind for three days. You might think of it as a divine time out. A little quiet time for Paul to think about what he has heard.
This moment is the defining moment of Paul's life. He realizes that he has made a horrible mistake in the direction of His life and that Jesus really is who He says He is. Yet, despite this he realizes that though he doesn't deserve it that God had mercy on him. And at some point if you come to the cross we all must realize the same thing. That for grace to truly be grace it must be a gift and not something earned.
In Romans 3:23-25 it says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displaed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed." There are a lot of important words in these verses: justified, grace, redemption. But, one of the most important is "freely". It is the greek word "Dorean" and it means "undeservedly". It means you didn't earn it.
In fact, it was on the road to Damascus that we find Jesus confronting Paul. He tells us the story in many places, but it is first found in Acts 9 where Paul, who is then called Saul, is on the road to Damascus and he ssees a bright light. Jesus asks Paul, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" He then tells him that he must rise and go into the city and there he will be told what to do. As a result of the vision, he is blind for three days. You might think of it as a divine time out. A little quiet time for Paul to think about what he has heard.
This moment is the defining moment of Paul's life. He realizes that he has made a horrible mistake in the direction of His life and that Jesus really is who He says He is. Yet, despite this he realizes that though he doesn't deserve it that God had mercy on him. And at some point if you come to the cross we all must realize the same thing. That for grace to truly be grace it must be a gift and not something earned.
In Romans 3:23-25 it says, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displaed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed." There are a lot of important words in these verses: justified, grace, redemption. But, one of the most important is "freely". It is the greek word "Dorean" and it means "undeservedly". It means you didn't earn it.
