Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace. We sing about it, talk about it and pray about it,
but do we really understand it? What exactly is it?
Maybe you are one of those Christians that has never done anything wrong,
but I'm not. I join the ranks of those that have been "Had."
(Refer to Beth Moore's "When Godly People do UnGodly Things.")
Yes, I was Had. I grew up in a Christian family; church twice on
Sunday and back on Wednesdays too! But, I fell off the wagon at about
14. I lived life how I pleased for many years.
At one point in my life, I decided I was already damned to hell, and
there was no point in even trying. Then, I convinced myself that God
was just a myth and the Bible, a fairy tale.
That was shortly before I totally crashed and burned, became so depressed
I could not function and lived on the verge of suicide all day, every day.
Forget the Past - He Does!
God simply stepped in at that point in my life and lifted me off of the
floor. He pointed out to me that I was forgiven. I felt the
burden of guilt that I had carried for years literally fall away from my
shoulders. I've been up ever since. That is Amazing Grace.
He took away my past.
- Eph 1:6-7
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us
accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace; (KJV)
The Greek word translated into "hath made us accepted" in the verses
above, is the same word that the angel Gabriel used in his famous greeting
to Mary. "Greetings you who are highly favored." So, we are made
accepted and we are highly favored. That is what God's grace does.
Isn't acceptance what most of you need? If He'll accept me,
He'll accept anyone!
I am currently writing a monthly column at Christian Books for Women,
called
Living in Amazing Grace. It is focused on a study called "Seven
Questions for a Pregnant Virgin."
Learn more about how God passed his amazing grace through Mary and how we
are the same as she: Highly Favored! You can follow "Seven
Questions" as it progresses on
The Christmas Story also.