Thursday, July 5, 2012

Flawed! Discard It!

A great sculptor was commissioned to create a statue of Napoleon. The marble was ordered from a quarry in Greece known for its quality materials. As soon as it arrived in the studio of the famous sculptor, Canova, he examined it carefully. To his dismay he noticed that it was not perfect. In disgust he shouted, “Discard it! It has a flaw in it. I will not lay my chisel upon it.”

How fortunate we are that God’s attitude toward and acceptance of sinners are the exact opposites. Paul boldly declares that God saved us “by His grace” - a word that means strong kindness toward someone! Imagine, if you can, how important God’s grace is for us.

God is perfection and only perfection is good enough for Him. Our very nature condemns us and will not allow us to grow into anything near perfection. If we are ever to get near to God, then, it must be on His terms. God is also love. This love that we do not deserve or can ever understand is what makes grace necessary. There is nothing we could ever do that would enable us to remove the flaws in our lives. We need Someone who is above us and beyond us Who will reach out to us and say, “In spite of your flaws, I love you and will forgive you and transform you by My grace if you have faith in my Son.”

In spite of their flaws, Jesus called men to be His disciples who were like us: ordinary sinners saved by grace.

Prayer: Lord, it’s not about breaking Your laws that requires Your grace, but breaking Your heart. Forgive us, transform us and enable us to live worthy of Your love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

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