The Price Of Grace Was High

                                                       When The Door Slams

What Shall we say [to all this]? Should we continue in sin and practice sin as a habit so that [God's gift of] grace may increase and overflow? Certainly not! How can we, the very ones who died to sin, continue to live in it any longer? Or are you ignorant of the fact that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death.                                                                                                                    Romans 6:1-3 AMPB

        God has freely offered grace to humanity to forgive sin and bring those who believe in Him into His family. To demonstrate grace and forgiveness, Jesus paid a once-and-forever price-His life. He became the sacrifice for all who would accept it. Grace costs you nothing. Grace cost God the life of His Son. 

        While Jesus rose from the dead, the cost of forgiving grace was the most important payment in the history of mankind. A man of integrity understands grace has a price. It is not just a concept the mind agrees with. It changes decisions, actions, and motives. 

        A man of integrity brings God's command to love others into decisions, choosing to do the right thing rather than apologize after the fact. He knows he will mess up and grace will be freely available, but he decides that sinning to get grace is something like abusing God's gift.

        The price of grace was high, so receiving the gift should have a life-altering impact. A man of integrity remembers what Jesus said of the sinful woman who anointed Him: that one who has been forgiven much loves much (Luke 7:47). And this love and integrity sides with discipleship, discipline, and obedience. 

        These are all hard things, but God's children are asked to trust Him and obey His commands. The man or woman of integrity views this as an important, but not burdensome, directive, because he understands the infinite grace that has been given him. 

        Think about this: A well-lived life is like a marathon, not a sprint-it calls for preparation, determination, and, of course, lots of grace. As an example of perfect grace, we Christians need look no further than Jesus Christ.

        Jesus finished what he began. Despite His suffering and despite the unspeakable pain He experienced on the cross, Jesus was steadfast in His faithfulness to God. We, too, must remain faithful when we experience the inevitable hardships of life. 

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:56-58 NIV).   

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.  

                                                        Never Rest Ministries