Just As You Are

No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." Act 15

So far in Acts 15, there is a big debate about whether Gentiles need to keep the Jewish laws and whether Salvation is contingent upon that fact. Luke in this account reminds us of this story and the wisdom that came from Paul and Barnabas. They remind us that God sent the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles to authenticate their faith and to show us that the Salvation of God does not discriminate. Their point was that we are to come to God just as we are. My question is "how many times have thought we had to change before we go to God? How many of us have wanted to "clean up" before come to Christ, as if we could somehow erase the atrocious mess that caused the great divide to begin with. When we start thinking that we have clean up or change before going to Christ we end up negating the purpose of the cross and Christ's glorious resurrection. We end up taking it upon ourselves to try and change us and in the end we fail because it is impossible for man to do the thing in which God gets the most glory: the salvation of man.

We can come as we are to God. No matter the amount of mess that is inside of us. God is given glory "because while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 6:23)." God is so amazing that he would take the vilest of creatures, and make them His own and give them a purpose.

God thank you for Jesus. Thank you that while I was separating myself from you, you found it in your grace and mercy to offer up your son to die on the cross and give his life for the ransom of the world. Thank you of the precious gift of salvation and that we can be called sons and daughters of God. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus for staying strong in Gethsemane and fulfilling Gods plan. Thank you that I can come as I am and you still love me. Thank you for True Love! Amen.