… much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. – Romans 5:17 (NASB)
If you have looked at the books available for self-help, it can be both confusing and depressing. There are some I have read and found useful. However, I must admit the whole idea of so much effort being spent in self-discovery is nauseating. Look at magazine titles. There was “People”, then “Us”, then “Self.” Pretty soon there will be one titled “ME!”
On the other hand, our Creator has made a way for us to live our lives with good self-esteem, purpose, real love, and a sense that things are going to be ok. His plan does not come looking deep within ourselves by means of great introspection. Quite the opposite is true. He says look to Him and take things from Him He has provided. The most important two things are Mercy and Grace.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)
Mercy means we do not get what we deserve.
Grace means we get what we do not deserve.
Mercy is when God forgives us for the things we have done. He does not give us the judgment we deserve. Now I know there are people out there who think they have never done anything wrong, and that they are sinless or are so spiritual that they glow in the dark, but for the rest of us rational, cognitive humans, we are keenly aware that there are things we should not have done, and other things we ought to have done. Only God can forgive us of these things and give us this “gift of righteousness”. Only He can declare us innocent when we are guilty and deserve judgment. Receiving mercy is the starting point for managing our lives. We cannot move on if the weight of guilt hangs on us. Being free from our past allows us to begin this life He has for us.
Grace is the way we live from then on. All the things we need to “manage” our lives are things God gives to us out of His grace. He gives peace, joy, help in time of trouble, direction for our lives, the ability to get along with people, as well as “..everything pertaining to life and godliness” (1Peter1:3). All the needs of the human being have already been provided. He even says that He will make sure that there is more than you will need.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; – 2 Cor. 9:8 (NASB)
All grace … always… all sufficiency … in everything… abundance… every good deed. It sounds too good to be true, but it is true. There is a way to live where we are constantly receiving His help to meet our every need and He is always giving us more than we ask for. The end result is that we are “ruling in this life”. Our statement will not be what great, disciplined, spiritual people we are, but what an awesome, generous, good God we serve. We get the benefit of a life well managed and God gets all the credit. What a way to live!