A World in a Word

One book that has been life changing for me is Search for Significance authored by Robert McGee. If you were expecting me to say the Bible–it’s a given since it’s the source of everything for me. Robert McGee, well, I’m not going to tell you what it’s about. Google it and see for yourself. One affirmation, in his book, is something I recite several times a week–”My value is much greater than my performance because Christ died for me on Calvary transferring great value to me. I am deeply loved, totally forgiven, accepted, fully pleasing and complete in Christ.” I may have missed a word or two, but these words speak volumes to me.

He also has a daily devotional book that I read from nearly every day. It starts with a verse, a few pargraphs of wisdom, a question or two and then I am prompted to a praise or prayer request. This morning was very profound for me. The question asked me to write what God’s grace means to me. I thought about it for a while. I know it’s His unmerited favor, but this can just be something I say because I’ve heard it so often–not that I take it lightly.  Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that “we a saved by grace through faith and that not of ourselves. It is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” I love these verses, but they don’t tell me what grace is other than it is a gift. Something we can’t earn.

Years ago, when I was studying these verses, something came to me–I had heard from many that we are saved by faith. That’s not what these verses say–they say we are saved by grace through faith. Through faith–that is an interesting statement. So I did a little exercise–my creative mind at work–no, the Holy Spirit at work.

G                                                                                                    F

R                                                                                     G     R    A    C    E

F     A     I     T     H                                                                                I

C                                                                                                    T

E                                                                                                     H

It was very clear to me–faith through grace is lopsided, but grace through faith is a perfect cross. I’ve never forgotten this lesson.

This morning, as I thought of this and as I pondered the word, I saw something else in the letters:

God’s gift of Redemption and Acceptance of Christ is Eternal.

Can you see it? And if you see it–do you receive it?

Romans 10:9-10–If we believe in our heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and if we confess with our mouths that He is our savior, we will be saved.