They say, “Nothing in life is free.” It is not clear just
who “they” are, but they certainly are not in tune with our God. Grace is FREE,
and all we have to do is accept it. There are no strings attached and no
expectations for perfection. We are not able to earn it and it certainly is not
something we deserve. None the less it is ours for the taking.
The basis for calling the second part of the Bible the New
Testament is founded on this message from the Lord. He promised a New Covenant
unlike the one before. In Jeremiah 31: 32 it is clear God was disappointed, yet
ready to once again offer undeserved wings of freedom to His people; “It will not be like
the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead
them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant though I was husband to them.”
In Jeremiah 31: 33 the Lord declared, “I will put my law in their minds, and
write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people.” This time He was not planning to inscribe His
laws onto hard stone as he did the Ten Commandments, but instead to use the
soft tissue of the heart to communicate his message of unfailing love,
forgiveness, and hope.
Jesus was sent as the sacrificial Lamb to make an impact too
incredible to cast aside. Then the Holy Spirit followed, entering the hearts of
all, giving them and us the ability to begin anew. Jeremiah 31:34 reminds us; “For
I will forgive their wickedness, and will remember their sins no more.”
The New Testament illustrates a new chance at life, offering
another opportunity to live the will of the Lord. We were saved by God’s Grace.
It’s up to us to decide what we will do with that gift. Are we going to put it
into the closet along side the many other unexciting or minimally useful gifts we
have received, or will we wear it proudly, allowing our hearts to feel His
Grace and share it with others? Accepting and giving Grace is a very powerful thing!
Listen/Read Jeremiah 31:31-34
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