Romans 5:1-6
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
If I spent time this morning reflecting on who I’ve become I would have to spend some serious time looking at the journey that got me to where I am today. Christianity is not a title its an event. I guess I get so excited about talking about Christ because my experience with Him has been so exciting!
Justified by Jesus! “Just if I’d” never sinned. Oh my goodness. How wonderful is it that Christ takes guilt out of your life. I’m a self blamer, if you fall down, I probably could have prevented it, even if I’m in West Virginia and you’re in Texas. Is that nuts? yes, but it’s been a piece of the fabric of my life for as long as I can remember. So… is it any wonder I get excited bout the justification of Jesus Christ and the peace I have in knowing that my faults and failures are covered. He took them upon Him so that I could be free from them. It was like having toted a huge piece of luggage with me, and then having Jesus show up one day, unpack it, put everything in His luggage, and then throw my bag in the dumpster so I couldn’t refill it. Yes, that excites me.
Access to grace! God’s riches at Christ’s Expense. Grace is receiving that which I am not entitled too because I didn’t buy it. Over the years friends and family have given me gifts of instruments; an upright bass, a fiddle, a mandolin and more. These are things that bring me great joy. I didn’t ask for them, they just one day appeared in my life through a conversation or a phone call and I was blessed. I didn’t do anything for the giver, they just gave. That’s grace. The only One who knew of my desire to be a musician was God. I hadn’t spoken to anyone about it. But when I began to serve
Christ through music, God began placing people in my life that would become instruments themselves. Instruments of grace. Used by God to give me that which I did not deserve. And you wonder why I want to tell people about my Lord!
My journey has not always been so pleasant. Even in the midst of experiencing the joys I just spoke of, I was also experiencing great trials. I lost people I love, I lost jobs, I lost joy, but I never lost Jesus or His peace. When I would finally make it through one of those horrific times, I could look back on the experience and understand that it truly did have purpose. I grew in those times spiritually and became stronger in my faith and testimony which allowed me to share that with someone else going through those same type trials. I have hope today because of what God has brought me through in the past.
This is why I talk about Jesus. Because your walk with Him should not be a point “A” to point “B” experience. It should be a journey with great stories to tell about what He did along the way. I pray you experience that today, and that you’ll share with me some of the gifts of grace you’ve received.