Helpless

Text: Romans 5:12-21

Theme: We are unable to help ourselves, but God’s grace abounds to us.

Key verses: “But there is a difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ” (v. 15). “For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone” (v. 18). “God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (v. 20-21).

What God said to me: Dwayne, my grace is incredibly sufficient for everyone. The fact that you are even living and breathing and moving your fingers across the keyboard right now shows my amazing grace in your life. Based on your own righteous acts (or lack thereof) you should have been condemned a long time ago. On your own merit you have nothing you can bring to me to appease my justice. Many are talking about justice for themselves now days. But few are thinking about the justice they deserve, which is death and hell. Now, let’s talk about you. You focus more on “them” and what “they” deserve. And when you read my Scripture you seem more interested in tweeting it or designing a cool-looking graphic for it to share on Facebook. What you should be doing first of all is meditating of my Word and asking yourself through each passage how it applies to you. It doesn’t matter how many people “like” what you post or are impacted by what you share if those same Scriptures aren’t affecting you and changing you from the inside out. My grace is all over you. You have my unmerited favor. You’re swimming in it. You don’t have reach up to a certain height or jump a certain distance to earn my love and care. You are my child, period. That will never change. Grace, grace, my grace–grace that will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, grace, my grace–grace that is greater than all your sin. Enjoy your swim in my grace today, Dwayne. The water is warm, and my love for you is just right.

What I said to God: Thank You, my Father and Savior and Friend. You are El Shaddai and Elohim. You are the beginning and the end. You are Jehovah, our covenant-keeping, relational God. I can’t imaging doing life without You. Please forgive me when I forget Your love and despise it—even for a moment–by disobeying You and harboring sin in my heart. Please help me and my family know how to truly love others around us, those who don’t look like us or have the same socio-economic status. Please help me not judge those who don’t act the way I think they should. If not for the grace of God, there go I.