One of the amazing things about coming to know and understand God’s Grace is the impact that Grace has on our lives. Throughout my years in ministry, I can recall individuals who came to know God’s Grace and witnessed the change in their life.  I think of Gary (not his real name) who described his life before Christ as “debauchery.” He was everything the world told him he should be as a teen and young adult.  I think of the young mother who came to the Church looking for help to raise a child as a single mom. She found what she really needed in Christ and quit her job as a dancer in a men’s club. Grace does that.

Grace does that!

Grace points you to salvation that is in Christ and leads you to a righteous life.  Paul tells Titus, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self- controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:11-14).

Peter tells us that our former friends, co-workers, or even family may not understand. He says, “With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” (1Pe 4:4-5). The change is real.

The change is real!

The Bible talks about us:

• Becoming a new creation
• Putting off the former self.
• Putting on the new self.
• •”And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1Cor 6:11).

Grace does that!

• When we see what God did for us because of His great love; How can we not change for Him?
• When we see what our sinfulness did to His Son; How can we continue to live that way?
• When we see Christ lifted up on the Cross in our place; How can we stay away?

Who I was before is not important. Who I am in Christ is what matters.

-Scott

Note: The kid in the pic is me at a Fall Festival at Escambia Christian School circa 1978 or ’79. I was trying to pull off  a “Huck Finn” look.