Beware of Legalism

By Andrea Merrell

For it was only through this wonderful grace 

that we believed in him. Nothing we did could ever 

earn this salvation, for it was the gracious gift 

from God that brought us to Christ! 

So no one will ever be able to boast,

for salvation is never a reward for good works

or human striving. Ephesians 2:8-9 TPT

 

“I just don’t understand,” the man said. I’ve done everything required of me. Followed all the rules. What more does God want from me? What do I have to do to get His attention?”

Raised in a legalistic church, the man believed he had to “work” his way to heaven. He tried to live up to the standards set by the leaders and made it a point to dot every i and cross every t. But he still questioned his relationship with the Lord. Even his salvation.

Just like the Ten Commandments, legalism has it’s own set of thou shalt nots. The problem is these rules are man-made, not God-ordained. And God’s grace is missing from the equation.

We are not saved or rewarded by rule-keeping. And there is no way we could ever earn our salvation. God’s acceptance is not based on our performance. It’s not what we do or don’t do, it’s a matter of the heart. It’s saying yes to God’s invitation to become part of His family, then spending time building a relationship with a loving Father.

Rules are good but not when they go against the Word and cause guilt and condemnation. Receive God’s grace. And don’t allow legalism to keep you bound.

Draw close to the Lord. He's waiting for you.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and Stuart Miles.)

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The Truth About Grace

By Andrea Merrell

God’s grace. We talk about it. We thank Him for it. But do we really understand it?

We often refer to grace as God’s unmerited (undeserved) favor. Some call it divine assistance. While others deem it as mercy, kindness, or pardon.

While all these attributes are correct, we tend to leave out an important element—God’s power, or the power of God that works in us. When we receive God’s grace, it’s just the beginning. It opens the door. To what? The transforming power of God that is able to deliver us and change our circumstances.

Chris Tiegreen puts it like this:

Many Christians … speak of the grace that covers their brokenness without any expectation of fixing it; of grace that compensates for their wounds without any hope of healing them; of grace that forgives flaws without any sense of recovering from them. In other words, they need grace but deny hope and resist change.
 

Grace … is not only greater than all your sin; it’s also greater than all your habits and tendencies. It not only covers all your brokenness, wounds, and flaws; it can also heal them. In fact, it insists on healing them, even when you’re afraid of change or reluctant to enter into it. God offers his transforming power to anyone bold enough to accept it. Grace and power flow together. Never seek one without the other.

God’s grace, as the song says, is truly amazing. And it prepares the way for God to set us free by His power. Grace and power … a matched set that can turn your life around and bless you in ways you can’t imagine. That’s a truth you can bank on.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and radnatt.)

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God’s grace opens the door to his transforming power that is able to deliver us and change our circumstances. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

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Don't Push the Hot Button

By Andrea Merrell

Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Romans 12:18 NLT

I shouldn’t have said it, but it came out anyway. It was one of those statements that pushes every hot button and sets an argument into motion. Once the words were uttered, there was no way to take them back.

When would I ever learn?

Why do we do that … especially when we know how destructive hateful words can be to a relationship?

Marriage, friendships, and family interactions take work. We have to choose to overlook the faults and shortcomings of others, just like we want them to do for us. How? By putting their needs and feelings above our own and avoiding conversations that breed conflict, anger, and resentment.

The Bible instructs us to walk in love, forgive when wronged, and to live in peace with others as much as possible. That’s a tall order, but God will give us the grace we need to follow His Word if we’ll just ask.

And another thing … stay away from those hot buttons.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net/Stuart Miles.)

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How do you resist pushing the hot buttons? via @AndreaMerrell (Click to Tweet.)

God will give us grace to walk in love, forgive when wronged, and live in peace with others. (Click to Tweet.)

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Holding Tightly to God's Grace

By Andrea Merrell

My mother is dying and my daughter–my friend—is moving eight hours away. I can't seem to stop the tears.

The last visit with my mother was heart wrenching. As dark, vacant eyes stared at me from the nursing home bed, I wondered what thoughts were swirling through her mind—thoughts she could not express because she has almost lost her ability to speak. Even her scribbles on a piece of paper were undecipherable.

She knew me, but there was no communication between us … never has been. It was awkward at best … always has been. Not knowing what else to do, I took her face in my hands and leaned down toward her. She kissed my cheek. I kissed hers. “I love you,” I said, and she mouthed the words back to me. That may be my very last memory of her. Only time will tell.

Now I grieve for the relationship we never had and believe for a second chance when we are reunited in heaven.  

And while I struggle with the knowledge my daughter will no longer be minutes away, I rejoice and give thanks for the close and loving relationship we have ... the kind of relationship I wish I'd had with my own mother. 

It’s a dichotomy of sorts. Opposites. Two ends of the spectrum. So I shed tears of both joy and sadness, and I trust God to guard my heart. I hold tightly to His grace, knowing that things change. Seasons of our life come and go. When I feel overwhelmed and don’t know what to do, I run to Him.

My grace is sufficient, He whispers.

In a world where life is hard and things don’t always make sense, that’s enough for me.

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When life is hard and things don't make sense, hold tightly to God's grace. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to Tweet.)

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