Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15
The Christian idea of grace is a unique concept among world religions. Grace is often described as unmerited favor with God. In other words, we cannot earn what God has done for us, namely by his sacrifice for our sins on the cross. No amount of hard work could obligate the Master of the universe to become a man, die on a cross, and redeem us. It was all done because of his love for humanity.
Several eastern religions have a concept known as Karma. Karma is basically the idea that one's good deeds in one life will earn him a higher position in the next life. Karma is the exact opposite of grace. Karma says that my wealth or poverty, sickness of health is basically left up to me to decide. If I was good in the last life, I will be healthy in this one. The biggest problem with this, (other than it being unbiblical and illogical), is that one never knows if or when he or she has done enough to deserve a promotion. One is basically left stranded in the hopelessness of an impossible situation.
I think all of us understand that many of life's problems may truly be the result of poor choices, either personal or inherited. Yet the doctrine of Karma does not hold an answer. It simply describes how things are. It's only recourse is that man might recognize his errors and strive to be better. By contrast, Grace is God taking the initiative to solve man's sin problem. Through Calvary, Jesus Christ became a bridge between God and man and gave man hope for a better day.
God's grace is an amazingly personal gift. It is not just an impersonal life force. God desires for each man or woman, boy or girl to come a personal knowledge of his saving grace and develop a personal relationship with him. This personal relationship will help to bring things into proper perspective. Being in right relationship with God will cause me to want to please him. At the same time, it will make me even more aware of the awe-inspiring price of Grace and my inability to earn it for myself.
This Resurrection Sunday let us contemplate God's grace. It is a time for repentance and reflection. If we find that we have fallen short, we can ask God to help us do better. Above all, it is a time for rejoicing in the precious gift of salvation that is made available to all through Calvary! If you have never experienced God's gift of salvation through the power of the Holy Ghost you can do so. Remember, Jesus went to Calvary for you!
Blessings,
Pastor Jones
The Christian idea of grace is a unique concept among world religions. Grace is often described as unmerited favor with God. In other words, we cannot earn what God has done for us, namely by his sacrifice for our sins on the cross. No amount of hard work could obligate the Master of the universe to become a man, die on a cross, and redeem us. It was all done because of his love for humanity.
Several eastern religions have a concept known as Karma. Karma is basically the idea that one's good deeds in one life will earn him a higher position in the next life. Karma is the exact opposite of grace. Karma says that my wealth or poverty, sickness of health is basically left up to me to decide. If I was good in the last life, I will be healthy in this one. The biggest problem with this, (other than it being unbiblical and illogical), is that one never knows if or when he or she has done enough to deserve a promotion. One is basically left stranded in the hopelessness of an impossible situation.
I think all of us understand that many of life's problems may truly be the result of poor choices, either personal or inherited. Yet the doctrine of Karma does not hold an answer. It simply describes how things are. It's only recourse is that man might recognize his errors and strive to be better. By contrast, Grace is God taking the initiative to solve man's sin problem. Through Calvary, Jesus Christ became a bridge between God and man and gave man hope for a better day.
God's grace is an amazingly personal gift. It is not just an impersonal life force. God desires for each man or woman, boy or girl to come a personal knowledge of his saving grace and develop a personal relationship with him. This personal relationship will help to bring things into proper perspective. Being in right relationship with God will cause me to want to please him. At the same time, it will make me even more aware of the awe-inspiring price of Grace and my inability to earn it for myself.
This Resurrection Sunday let us contemplate God's grace. It is a time for repentance and reflection. If we find that we have fallen short, we can ask God to help us do better. Above all, it is a time for rejoicing in the precious gift of salvation that is made available to all through Calvary! If you have never experienced God's gift of salvation through the power of the Holy Ghost you can do so. Remember, Jesus went to Calvary for you!
Blessings,
Pastor Jones
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