Freedom through Grace

I was talking to a girl in my therapy group today and felt horribly burdened when I discovered that she believed she would never be "good enough" for God. That her works would never be enough. I asked her if she knew about God's grace and she said, "Sure!....No. I mean, what do you mean?" As we continued to talk I began to share with her that it was by grace we were saved. Not by our works. She then asked "What about people that murder people and hurt children and stuff?" So we talked about the difference in God's grace and forgiveness and consequences. I felt so good that I was able to share about God's grace with her and I hope and pray that I can continue to reveal God's love and God's truths to her. I hope that she will feel a sense of freedom. That she can breathe a sigh of relief that she doesn't have to be "good enough" for God. That it is through His love, mercy and grace that we are saved. What a horrible burden to carry around to think that you can never be good enough for God. If you are one who thinks that, I have great news for you!! You don't have to be!! He loves you just like you are and it is by His grace and your faith that you are saved!!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV)

And again, in the Message Version, Ephesians 2:8-10

Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

And I absolutely LOVE the Amplified Bible's version of the same passage:

For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].

In a world that often has impossible standards for us to live up to I am so relieved to have a heavenly Father that I don't have to be "good enough" for. That I have freedom through His grace.