Grace

I was finishing up my bible study lesson on the story of Samson in Judges today (never knew his mom was infertile??!) and came across something from a few weeks ago that I need to print out and keep with me. 

Tim Keller talks about the need to remember we are saved by the pure grace of God, not by any action of our own. He lists 4 consequences of trying to earn grace through our own performance:

1) We may become filled with anxiety. "If I slip up, if I make a wrong move here, I could lose everything." But we must think instead, "All the things I have here are really gifts of grace. They aren't here because of my performance, but by God's generosity. He loves me enough to lose his only Son for me, surely he will continue to give me what I need. Console yourself!"

2) We may be filled with pride and anger. "I am not getting what I deserve! People are not treating me right! Who do they think they are?" But we must think, intend, "All the things I have are really gifts of grace.  I have never gotten what I deserve- and I never will. If God gave me what I deserved, I'd be dead. Humble yourself."

3) We may become filled with guilt. "I have blown it! My problems mean he's abandoned me." But we must think, instead, "All the things I have are results of God's grace. I have never earned them to begin with- so I couldn't have un-earned the. He accepted me long ago even though he knew I would do this. This was in my heart all along- I just didn't see it, but he did. He's with me now. Be confident, self."

4) We may become filled with boredom and lethargy. "Sure, I'm a Christian. Sure, I have good things. So what?" Be we must think, instead, "All the things I have- every one- is a gift of grace. The very fact I am a Christian is a miracle. Be amazed. Be in wonder, self."