Let's talk about Grace...

Yes, I know my last post was on God's grace as well... but it's what I've been studying in devotions, and it's just amazed me today.

Verses to think about:
2 Corinthians 4:7-9, 13-18; 5:4-9, 11, 13-21, 6:1

How often do you think about what Christ has done for you? If you're anything like me, the answer is- "Not often enough!"
2 Corinthians 5:11,14a:
"Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men... For Christ's love compels us..."
Are you compelled by love? Or do you live compelled by your own flesh, seeking after your own desires, and doing things for praise of yourself, so that people look upon you favorably, so that you get what you want in life?
What does Christ's love compel us to do? Why does this love compel us?

2 Cor. 5:14-15
"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."

Christ's love should compel us, drive us, motivate us- to live for Him, rather than ourselves- to share our Christ with those around us because he is the First and Best of beings, the focus of the chief end of man- (to glorify God and enjoy Him forever), our Savior, our Foundation... We should be motivated to tell others about him, try to persuade them, and appeal them to be reconciled to God, because He is worthy of worship and praise, and because he is the One we were made to worship and enjoy. We should be motivated by our God- who is the embodiment of pure, perfect Love, to live each day to His glory and honor- not to satisfy our flesh and live selfishly, but to live for One other than ourselves- One who is called Christ, who has redeemed us and saved us and paid our debts of sin.

Think about it:
What place have you been giving Christ in YOUR life? Has it been a place of prominence, of honor and importance- as the place of command, the throne of your life? Or has it been kind of "fitting God in where there's room"? Are you willing to put Christ first in your life, and LIVE like you believe in Him?

When we accept the name of Christ; when we call ourselves Christians- we have a command from Paul in 2 Cor. 6:1 "As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain."

If you say "yes" to your heavenly Father's plea to be reconciled with him... live like it! Live like you've been forgiven an insurmountable debt, like your life has been redeemed from the pit... because it has. And you can do nothing to repay the One who took charge of your debt... all that you can do is live your life to please Him who redeemed you.