Grace Is Free, But It’s Not Cheap
By Rick Warren
“Many people received God’s gift of life by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:15b NCV)
If you looked in your mail today and found a free gift waiting for you, it wouldn’t really be free. Someone paid for it at some point.
The same is true of God’s grace. It’s totally and completely free to you, but someone paid for it — Jesus.
Grace is free, but it’s not cheap. God’s grace cost Jesus his life.
That’s why it is only through Jesus that we can find the grace of God — because he’s the one who paid for the grace we receive. The Bible says, “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved” (Acts 15:11a NIV).
Nobody else has volunteered to pay for your sins. Nobody else paid the price for all the blessings God brings your way. Romans 5:15 says, “Many people received God’s gift of life by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ” (NCV).
Because you receive the grace of God through Christ alone, the Lord doesn’t look at you like you think he does. God’s Word says those of us who have accepted God’s grace are “in Christ.” That phrase is used more than 120 times in the Bible.
To be “in Christ” means that when God looks at you, he doesn’t see all your sins, failures, and rough spots. When you’re “in Christ,” God just sees Jesus. You may see the scars, the mess, and the problems, but God sees perfection in Christ.
That’s grace, and it can only be found in Christ. Nothing you can ever do can make God love you any less — or any more.
His love for you isn’t based on what you do. It’s based on who you are in Christ.
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Talk It Over
- God’s love is unchanging despite our sin. Why, then, do you think so many people feel unloved by God?
- Who in your life needs to hear about God’s unchanging love for him or her? What will you do about it?
- How should you treat grace when you consider that it cost Jesus his life?
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit rickwarren.org
The secret to being happy no matter what is looking at every experience and circumstance you face from God’s viewpoint. When you go through difficult times joy becomes a choice you make minute by minute. Written by Pastor Rick’s wife, Kay Warren, this Devotional book is the perfect tool to help you stay focused on God’s word and see things from His perspective. Each devotion begins with a much needed encouragement from Scripture, followed by Kay's wise words on how to live with joy. Each devotion ends with a short prayer to help bring you closer to the source of all joy—our loving God.
This devotional © 2016 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can also listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
