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Thursday, July 21, 2011

Are You Living in Amazing Grace?


I'm sure as you read the title, the words of "Amazing Grace" came to your mind. It may be the original verses or the more contemporary, either way the message remains the same.

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me...I once was lost but now I am found, was blind but now I see..."

Since 1760 this hymn has been around the globe. People have sung it in Cathedrals, Country churches, Mega churches, house churches, in their homes and even in their vehicles. The message is clear but I believe due to the tradition of singing this song, it has become stale among church goers today. We often sing this song without thinking about the meaning.

You see this song was written in past tense and present tense..."I once was lost". Being lost means to be separated from God because of our sin nature. "But now I am found". This means you are now reconciled to God through the precious blood of Jesus because of God's amazing grace! If we sing this song and still live in the "past tense" of being lost, there is no amazing grace to experience...

Yes, God's grace is extended to ALL people but if you don't confess Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead(Romans 10:9)then you are not "found"/saved. You are still living in a "lost" position of life eternal. The lie that has ensnared people all over the world, especially "Christians" in the United States is: "As long as you prayed a prayer and asked Jesus to come into your heart, you are saved. You don't have to change to way you live to be His child." This is only partial truth.

The Truth is, if a person truly repents and asks Jesus to be their Lord and Savior, there is change in their lifestyle! He loves you so much and accepts you just as you are but refuses to leave you just as you are. It won't come all at once but it will happen. Why? Because the Holy Spirit has taken residence in your body and has given you the Spirit of Christ.(Read Ephesians 5)

I believe too many have prayed a prayer out of fear, just as I did when I was younger because I didn't want to go to hell when I died. There was no evidence of Jesus in my life, no life change, no remorse when I sinned, etc. I lived how I wanted to live until I was 28 and I realized my sin separated me from Holy God. I repented and gave my life to Christ. I then started living in the "found" position of life, because the Holy Spirit made His home in me and convicted me of sins.

When I hear this song, no matter where I am, I am truly thankful for His AMAZING GRACE, that saved a wretch like me! How about you? Are you living in His Amazing Grace?

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