HELPED BY GOD
“God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in him sets us in the clear. God decided on this course of action in full view of the public—to set the world in the clear with himself through the sacrifice of Jesus, finally taking care of the sins he had so patiently endured. This is not only clear, but it’s now—this is current history! God sets things right. He also makes it possible for us to live in his rightness.” Romans 3:25-26 MSG
One of the enemy’s most subtle and damaging tactics is to distort our understanding of grace—especially the scope of what it covers.
Even Paul addressed this tension, noting how some would twist the apostles’ message, accusing them of promoting sin so that grace might abound. But this is far from the truth. Grace is not permission to sin; it is the power of God to overcome sin. The moment we believe we must earn God’s approval, we step out of grace and grieve the Holy Spirit.
Why? Because we’re essentially saying Christ’s sacrifice wasn’t enough. Scripture warns us that to return to self-effort is to “re-crucify Christ” (Hebrews 6:6), as if His once-for-all offering were insufficient. Beloved, let this truth anchor your heart: God sets things right, and then works in us so we can walk in His rightness. It is not our striving that pleases Him, but our surrender.
Our role is to yield—to trust the Spirit of God within us to teach, lead, empower, and transform. What begins with Him will also be completed by Him.
You are helped by God. Always.
Prayer: Father, thank You for the gift of Your grace—the unearned, undeserved, unstoppable power that flows from the cross. Forgive us for the times we’ve tried to earn what was freely given. Teach us to rest in Your finished work, and to yield daily to Your Spirit within us. Strengthen our hearts to trust You fully, and remind us that Your grace not only justifies us but sanctifies us. Let Your life in us be our source, our strength, and our joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
CI.
RELATED RESOURCES
• Romans 5:20
• 1 Peter 2:24
