I recently watched a documentary about people climbing dangerous, nearly vertical terrain to reach remote churches. One missed step could mean a fatal fall. As I watched them ascend, it struck me how much this mirrors our own attempts to reach God. We try to meet unrealistic standards so that we can earn closeness to God. In our human efforts, we try to work to earn God’s favor.
The truth is, we often miss the point. We don’t need to scale the highest mountains to reach God, because He came down to us. Through Jesus Christ—who lived a sinless life and paid the price for our sins—God stepped into humanity to rescue the very people He created (Philippians 2:5-11). On our own, we remain trapped by our passions and pleasures, but through God’s grace, we are saved.
In Titus 2, we read:
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. – Titus 2:3-7 NIV
Prayer: Thank you Lord for your kindness and mercy. It is by your grace that I have found new life. Thank you for rescuing me. Help me seek you daily and live a life set apart for your glory.
Worship song
Graceful Strides 