C.Ryenne Thoughts

In a Bible study a couple weeks ago, we read 2nd Corinthians 6 and the first verse really stood out to me. It reads, “As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.” Other translations say not to ignore the gift of God’s grace.

So lets go back to your childhood, when you were little what was a gift that you really wanted?

A gift that you would cry for if you did not receive it. For me, it was the Hermione wand from Harry Potter that lights up when you move it.

Now just imagine that you were given that gift and you just ignored it. Didn’t even say thank you, just put it to the side – you knew it was there but you never physically acknowledged it.

I feel like that is how so many followers of Christ, myself included, treat the grace of God.

The knowledge that it is there can be taken to two extremes. One being, “I have to be absolutely perfect as possible so that God has no need to gift me grace.” The other being, “Well if God’s gifted me grace then I can do whatever I want to do and it’s totally fine.”

Neither of these are good ways of thinking and they both lead to negative outlooks on life.

Let’s deal with the first extreme first:

God never expected us to be perfect. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fail short of the glory of God.”

The fact that we were born into a world of sin means that we will never be perfect, and that is where Christ comes in. He takes our imperfections and makes them perfect in the eyes of God. That is the only way to reach perfection – through relationship with Christ.

Romans 3:24 says, “and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

That is nothing you or I can do, it’s already done for us.

Now onto the second extreme:

Although we are gifted grace, it does not mean that we should do whatever is right in our eyes. That is where things can go extremely wrong, the Bible even points to this in Judges 17.

In Judges 17, we are told of a time when Israel had no king and everyone did what was right in their own eyes – it was utter chaos, absolute insanity – so much so that God sent judges to save Israel.

We are called to live by Christ, not just say we are Christians on Sundays and live life as we please, but live a life pursuing and seeking out relationship with God as well as living by His will.

A big question to ask ourselves is: Are you just a Jesus fan or a follower?

A fan will take advantage of the gift of grace given by God, living life with no acknowledgement to His sacrifice.

A follower will look towards the gift of grace with gratitude, a humble spirit, and a willingness to repent and keep living for Christ.

Remind yourself, as I will myself, of the grace that God has extended in your life. Accept and acknowledge that gift, because it is not just a Harry Potter wand. It is a gift that can determine life or death and a gift that we would, or at least should, definitely cry about if we did not receive it.

– C. Ryenne

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2nd Timothy 1:9-10