"being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,"
Romans 3:24

When I was in college, I took a course on the doctrine of Christ which met three times a week. The very first day of class, the professor gave each person a syllabus which explained the rules for attendance in his class. It stated that a person could not miss more than ten of his classes or they would fail the course.

One day, I decided that I needed a day off from school and chose to skip his class. I rationalized that one absence would not cause me to fail the class. Besides, I was planning my upcoming wedding and wanted to run a few errands. Then it happened! I became terribly sick and missed several classes causing my absences to total eleven -- one too many. My professor met with me to explain the consequences of my actions. There wasn't anything that could be done to change the situation. I continued to attend the class and even took the final exam.

As the final grades were given, he called me to his desk and said, "Miss Miller, today, I am going to show you the true definition of grace. You deserve to receive a failing grade because you were absent. However, I am going to amend the rule and give you a C." I didn't deserve to pass his course, but he gave me a passing grade. I will never forget the lesson of grace that he taught.

The definition of grace is the unmerited favor and love freely given by God or God's Riches At Christ's Expense. God's grace is not something that anyone deserves. Just like my professor gave me the rules for his course, God has given us His book containing His law. The Bible says that every person has broken His law. Romans 6:23 reads, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." We are sinners deserving death -- to be separated from God forever in a place of punishment. But God's grace is shown by the incredible gift that He has given -- Jesus Christ.

The Lord Jesus paid for your sin debt. He died on the cruel cross not for any wrong He had done, but for the sin of the world -- your sin and mine. He was buried and rose again three days later proving His power over sin and death. His sacrifice made a way for you to be saved from the punishment of your sins.

Some people have the idea that they have to be good enough to be saved, but that is a lie. Apart from Jesus, you can't do anything to be saved. The only way is to place your trust in what Jesus did for you on the cross. Waiting until you are a better person will never happen because you will never be good enough. Ephesians 2:8-9 reads, "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."

Perhaps you have not trusted Jesus as your Savior because you are not good enough. Good News! You can make that decision today. First, admit that you are a sinner in need of salvation (Romans 3:23). Second, accept the free gift that God has already provided for you. Believe that Jesus died for your sin, was buried and rose again three days later (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 57). According to Romans 10:9, "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

If you make that choice today, I would like to encourage you through e-mail. Please supply your name and information by clicking the "I Choose Jesus" button below, so that I may contact you.