NOT BECAUSE OF OUR WORKS
2 Timothy 1:9
...God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began...
As amazing as we are—and we are amazing—that is not why God saved and called us. He saved and called us because he is amazing. We are amazing because he is amazing. This does not mean we downplay our skills, passions, and accomplishments. To do so would, in reality, bring dishonor to God. It does mean that we honor him best by telling the truth about ourselves. The truth is an amazing God has made us amazing. The truth is this amazing God has taken up residence in our souls and gives us the tools and power to do amazing things. The truth is we too often refuse to recognize our amazing God and focus on ourselves instead. The truth is this refusal stains everything we do and are—but we are not the stain. The truth is our amazing God has redeemed us from our stain. The truth is the effect of our stain remains on earth but not in heaven. The truth is the stains have no power in the presence of God. The truth is we are simultaneously stained and unstained. The truth is the stained is temporary and the unstained is permanent.
Let us live as unstained.
But how? Keep remembering the truth: God has saved and called us to a holy calling because of his purpose and grace.
We give our works—however stained and feeble—to our amazing, creator, redeemer God.
We do this because of him.
Tag(s): devotional lectio
“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/
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