Grace Measures Us Up

It is a reason for pride and exultation to which our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world [generally] and especially toward you, with devout and pure motives and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God (the unmerited favor and merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, and keeps, strengthens, and increases them in Christian virtues). 2 Corinthians 1:12

Today I just want to share a couple final thoughts on the notion of us worrying about measuring up. The Truth is that we only measure up because of Grace. For whatever reason, our Father has chosen us serve by living in His free and unmerited favor He has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us to understand this Truth. Grace is free and Grace is all undeserved. We can do absolutely nothing on our own, or through our own efforts, to live in Grace. Everything in our lives is due to our Father exerting His influence on us. God Alone causes us to be Christ like, strong, safe, faithful, hopeful, loving, believing, forgiving, and virtuous. We never take the first step to have these things so that He can in turn give them. Our Father is not reactive to our promptings, He is proactive in causing them.

John answered, A man can receive nothing [he can claim nothing, he can take unto himself nothing] except as it has been granted to him from heaven. [A man must be content to receive the gift which is given him from heaven; there is no other source.] John 3:27

And not only that, but this too: Rebecca conceived [two sons under exactly the same circumstances] by our forefather Isaac, And the children were yet unborn and had so far done nothing either good or evil. Even so, in order further to carry out God’s purpose of selection (election, choice), which depends not on works or what men can do, but on Him Who calls [them], It was said to her that the elder [son] should serve the younger [son]. Romans 9:10-12

We have been chosen by God and therefore we measure up. We have eternal life right now. We no longer come into judgment. We no longer have to deal with condemnation. We now have life and we have it more abundantly, all free and all unearned.   

I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the person whose ears are open to My words [who listens to My message] and believes and trusts in and clings to and relies on Him Who sent Me has (possesses now) eternal life. And he does not come into judgment [does not incur sentence of judgment, will not come under condemnation], but he has already passed over out of death into life. John 5:24