May: Marvelous Grace

I am grateful for the people that the Lord has put in my life, especially those from church. They have been instrumental in keeping me accountable and reminding me of the undeserving grace that we receive on a daily basis. I take notice that whenever we hang out with each other, we always end up talk about God and what he's done in our lives and how his grace is made evident in every aspect of our lives, no matter where the conversation was going in the first place. How good is it that we know the truth and because of it, we can rejoice in our Sovereign Creator?

A song that has weighed heavy upon my heart this month, in a good way, is "Marvelous Grace." 

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, 

Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! 

Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured, 

There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled. 

Grace, grace, God’s grace, 

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; 

Grace, grace, God’s grace, 

Grace that is greater than all our sin. 

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, 

Threaten the soul with infinite loss; 

Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, 

Points to the refuge, the mighty cross. 

Dark is the stain that we cannot hide. 

What can we do to wash it away? 

Look! There is flowing a crimson tide, 

Brighter than snow you may be today. 

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, 

Freely bestowed on all who believe! 

You that are longing to see His face, 

Will you this moment His grace receive? 

My brother often jokes and makes up another version which is the exact opposite from what this song declares: it is only by God's grace that you have been saved.

His version is the following:

"Works, works, man's works. Works that will burden and damn within! Works, works, man's works. Works: the summation of all our sin!"

As hilarious as this may be, it's so true. My heart rejoices at the knowledge of a God who chose me and forgave me although I am undeserving, rebellious, prideful and full of hate (Romans 1:29-30, 3:9-20). Since I know the truth, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). 

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

To my friends, thank you so much for all that you have done for me. I am truly grateful.