(Read Galatians 6:14-16)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing to look at The Law given under Moses vs. the Grace provided by Jesus. The Apostle Paul is just about done with his letter to the church in Galatia. As he prepares for his closing statement he says, “As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.” We will take a closer look at Paul’s words in our closing points.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Understanding Grace keeps you humble. Paul said, “I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The closer you get to God and the more you understand that you have been forgiven and blessed by God’s grace and not your works, the less you think of yourself and the more you appreciate the God of your salvation. Mature Christians are humble Christians, because they understand they only are who they are by the Grace of God.
2. Understanding your Purpose provides clarity and helps to simplify your life. Paul said, “Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.” When the Apostle Paul lived as Saul of Tarsus he had certain plans, desires, hopes and passions, but once he was Born-Again he allowed his old life to be nailed on the cross with Jesus. His new life was very simple: preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified. That was Paul’s assignment in life. Your’s may not be to preach, but it will be equally simple. When you find your purpose in life it helps you to strip away the things that don’t matter. Life in Christ is a focused, streamlined, simple and satisfying life!
3. Grace frees you from a performance-based life. Paul said, “It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.” Paul used circumcision as a symbol of self-effort and the Apostle made it clear that God is not relying on our effort to make plans for us. God made plans for us before the foundations of the world. Our life in Christ is not about earning God’s blessing. Out life is about finding out what God planned for us to do, and simply submitting to it — receiving it by Grace and pursuing it by faith. This way you are not doing something and then asking God to bless it. No, you are doing what God has already blessed! When you live this way the focus is not on you, but rather on God!
4. Embracing the fact that you have been changed, changes everything. Paul said, “May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.” When you accept the fact that God has literally made you a new creation in Christ Jesus, everything is different. You embrace your new nature, with a new focus and with fearless faith. You are able to do this because you know God saved you and called with a Holy calling; not according to your own works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which He gave you IN CHRIST JESUS before the world began (2 Tim 1:9).
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for helping me to understand my purpose and the Grace that You have already given me for my purpose. As You reveal Your purpose for my life to me, and as I embrace it by Your grace, the more I get to the point where I realize that I only am who I am by Your Grace. Without You I am nothing. I have nothing to boast about. I resist pride. I humble myself before Your mighty hand and I allow You to exalt me, in due season, in whatever ways You see fit. My life is no longer about my old passions or pursuits. My life has been simplified. Through Your Holy Spirit You give me clear vision and insight concerning my purpose and I willingly strip my life of all the unnecessary things I was pursuing before. I live a focused, fixed and simplified life. This does not mean I have all the answers, and it does not mean I will always know where my life is taking me, but it does mean I know who I am following and my trust is in You! I no longer live my life focused on human effort. I no I do not have to earn Your blessing. I simply receive whatever You lead me to do, knowing that You have given it to me by Grace, and I pursue it by faith. This takes the focus off of me, and puts the focus on You. It is in You that I live, and move and have my being. I have been changed by Your Grace, and that change changes everything! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
