Romans 1:5-6-Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
It is so important that the gospel to which we have been separated is a gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not good news about a great country like America. It is not good news about a football team like the Washington Redskins. It is not even good news about a religion. It is good news about Jesus Christ our Lord. This is important because it is only through HIM that we receive grace.
I love the way Paul puts this. He says that we have received grace, as if there was any other way that we would acquire grace. Grace, by it’s very nature, cannot be something that is inherently ours. Nor is it something that we can get by ourselves or earn through hard work. Grace is something that is freely given and undeservedly received. Grace is God’s favor in our lives and in eternity. And while it may not reveal itself in power, prestige or financial freedom, it is that which brings forgiveness for our sins. It is that gift from God which maintains our righteousness even when we sin again. It is that special blessing of God that gives us the ability to live godly even when power, prestige and financial freedom are nowhere to be found. It is that favor of God that allows us the opportunity to spend eternity in His presence worshipping at His feet and enjoying Him forever.
This grace comes "through Him." Without Jesus Christ, we would never know God. Because of Jesus Christ, we belong to God and He "sheds His grace" on us. This is why our focus must always be the same as Paul’s - Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. Consider today what many blessings you have from God "through Him."
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