Devotion:
Read 2 Corinthians 5:18-21.
As I shared last week about a passage from Philippians, these verses are part of another passage that for me is a summation of the whole Bible message, particularly the good news that is the gospel. Through the act of reconciliation God brought about through Christ, we are made right with God. It is absolutely amazing; hard to believe that God would do such a thing! As humans, we wrestle with God because we want to be the god of our lives. We want to be in control. So even in our best intentions, we often have selfish motives. We are looking out for what is best for “me and mine.” We are sinners and therefore separated from God.
But God took the initiative to restore our relationship as only God could. Through Jesus Christ, God took on our sin and destroyed its power over our lives forever. God did all that was necessary to restore our relationship and offered it to us as a gift called grace. All we have to do is accept the gift. When we do so, God sees us no longer as lost sinners, but as children.
Since we are forgiven and reconciled to God, we can live the rest of our lives unburdened by the need to be good enough or do something to earn God’s favor. We already have it. As I like to say “God loves you and there is nothing you can do to change that!” Thanks be to God!
Personal Worship Option:
Consider this prayer: “Gracious God, thank you for your life-giving and life-changing gift of grace. Help me to live a grace-filled life by sharing your gift with everyone I can. Through Christ, Amen.”
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