New International Version(NIV)
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Grace simply is
defined by what
Christ did on the
Cross. He paid for
our sins, plain and
simple. Even when we
do not deserve
forgiveness He
provided it.
This is what Christ
went through on his
Trip to the cross.
- His mother and
brothers accused him
of being crazy! They
even came to talk to
Him to try to
convince Him to
stop!
John 7:1-5,
Matthew 12:46-48
- He was tried and
convicted during the
night, in secret.
Matthew 26:57-68
- He was tortured
and beaten
John 19:1-3
- He was made to
carry his own cross
to His execution
John 19:16-17
- He was ridiculed
and mocked
Mark 15:16-20
- His own people
called for Him to be
executed
John 19:4-6
- His Best friend
Denied Him, not only
once, not twice, but
three times
Matthew 26:69-75
- One of His close
friends turned Him
in for 30 pieces of
silver
Matthew 26:14-16
- They striped Him
nude for all to see
John 19:23
- they laid Him on
the cross, and
nailed spikes
through the palms of
His hands
John 19:18, John
20:25
So much more was
done to Him. But
still what was His
first cry?
"Father forgive they
know not what they
do!"(Luke 23:34)
That truly is Grace!
They received His
forgiveness when
they did not deserve
it!
What do we have to
do to receive this
Grace? Believe! All
we have to do is
Believe.
I was fortunate to
talk and witness to
my wife's
Grandfather on his
deathbed. He had
said his entire
family was badgering
him to make his
peace with God! He
really had not
accepted Christ yet.
He had told me that
they felt he should
and that they had
conditions he had to
follow, to reunite
with Christ. Her
grandfather had
refused to pray with
them. He refused
their efforts
because he felt they
were all hypocrites.
He looked at me,
with a sadness in
his eyes and said
that he felt he
could not do what
his family required
for salvation. He
said he wanted so
much to come to know
Jesus and the
salvation that
Christ offered, but
his family made him
feel he could not
accomplish what he
needed to do before
he died. He then
asked me, what must
I do to know Jesus.
I just told him,
"all you have to do
is believe!"
Quietly he said, "is
that all?" Then my
wife and I prayed
with him, and right
then and there he
gave him self to
Christ and said that
he believes! With
tears in his eyes
after we prayed, he
hugged me with the
biggest hug I ever
had as an adult and
whispered in my ear,
"thankyou!"
Later that night he
went to heaven!
I want to know, do
you believe...?
Neo... January 15,
2012