Day 23 – Fallen From Grace? ~ Julie Earl
Galatians 5:1-6
1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Julie’s Nugget
Paul warns when we try to earn our salvation and righteous standing with God, we actually alienate ourselves from Christ. The Oxford dictionary says the meaning of alienate is “to transfer ownership of (property rights) to another person or group.”
When we dress a certain way, follow certain rules and laws, and begin to believe our good deeds will get us to heaven or make us righteous, we have fallen from grace. Falling from grace means we are no longer saved, because it is by grace you are saved. If you are out of grace, you are out of salvation. You are no longer believing in Jesus for your salvation or holiness, you are believing in yourself.
When we step out of salvation by grace through faith, we are no longer under the “ownership” of Christ. We transfer our property rights from Jesus back to ourselves. This means we are no longer Christ’s.
To Consider
If you have lived your life thinking your good deeds will get you to heaven, or if you used to believe in Jesus alone for your salvation, but you began living a life of works to earn righteousness, you can step into grace and transfer the property rights back to Jesus .
Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith – and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works so that no one can boast.” You can again (or for the first time) be saved by grace through faith.
To Pray
There are no magic words, but pray something like this:
Jesus, I’m sorry for depending on myself.
Without You I can do nothing – including save, redeem and justify myself.
I believe You are the Savior.
Save me.
I transfer the property rights of my life to You.
I am Yours and You are Mine.
I receive the forgiveness that comes as a result of believing in You.
I am a new creation. The old things are passed away. All things have become new.
I am now clothed in Christ, and the Father sees me as holy and righteous.
I am the righteousness of God in Christ.
I receive my inheritance as a child of God.
You came that I would have abundant life, and I receive that abundant life.
Fill me with Your Spirit.
Your Spirit brings fruit and gifts. Flow those fruits and gifts through me to my world.
As I fix my eyes on You, Your love will transform me and those around me.
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love!
I love you, God, and I’m excited to do life in Your wisdom, power and strength.
Be BIG through me!
Amen!
Welcome to the Family (or welcome again)! You are now in God’s grace. Please contact us at www.CrazyAboutYou.org so we can help you on your journey.
God’s grace is amazing!
Julie Earl
(All scripture taken from the New International Version. Bold lettering mine.)