In just about one week, we will be celebrating Easter. For some this means fancy dresses and tailored suits, chocolate bunnies and Easter eggs, but for many it is a celebration to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ and His victory over sin and death.
My Easter basket will not be filled with artificial grass, marshmallow peeps, or stuffed bunnies. My Easter basket will be over-flowing with GRACE. You may be wondering "What is grace?" Grace is favor or kindness shown without regard to the worth or merit of the one who receives it and in spite of what that same person deserves.
Looking at that definition, I can say with certainty that I don't deserve grace. I spent many years lost in the throes of drugs and alcohol; inflicting pain on loved ones out of pure selfishness and living life by my rules with no regard for others. Today, though I try to live a good life, I still struggle with things. I smoke cigarettes; I lose my temper; I sometimes speak without thinking; I can be judgemental and I can hold a grudge. All things that I'm not proud of and all things that some are quick to point out to me; reminding me of my flaws and failures. The fact is, that in this life, I will never be perfect, no one will ever be perfect. We are human, therefore we are an imperfect being.
The good news of the gift of grace, started in a manger and ended on a cross. When Jesus came to earth, He came to bridge the gap between our sinful selves and the Heavenly Father and He did that when He died on the cross and rose from the dead three days later. Why? It's simple...He loves us.
"God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
Grace is a gift that none of us deserve, yet God freely gives to those who have faith in Christ Jesus and believe that He suffered, died and rose again to save us from our sins. Grace erases the sins of our past and frees us from condemnation.
"God does not treat us as our sins deserve, or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." Psalm 103:10-12
While others may stand ready to cast a stone or guilt strikes your heart and you find yourself in a crumpled heap on the ground, ashamed and full of sadness, Jesus reaches His hand to you, lifts you from the ground and says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
Grace is a Gift Received At Christ's Expense. He did the work, all we have to do is accept it. I can't think of anything more liberating than knowing that when God looks at me, He doesn't see the ugliness of my sin, but only sees the child He loves so much.
Wherever you are in your life and despite what you may of done in your past or may do in your future, God has an Easter basket overflowing with GRACE just for you. All you have to do is accept it and trust that His love for you is unconditional. Nothing can separate us from the love of God!
"Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:39
So, I ask you...What are you anticipating in your Easter basket? The gift of God's grace or a chocolate bunny?
Until next time, I won't have death by chocolate Easter morning, but life in the Risen Lord, thanks to His gift of Grace!
God Bless,
Cat
