No One Is Deserving

Acts 15:6-11

“6 The apostles and the elders met together to consider this matter. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “My brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the Gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers. 8 And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us; 9 and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us. 10 Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

Peter, reflecting on his previous roof-top vision given to him by God, and his first- hand experience of Gentiles receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:32-10:48), spoke up in the meeting of the Apostles and elders to remind them of these things.  He reminded them that the Law of Moses, which, instead of leading the Jews to salvation, had actually been a yoke that they could not bear.

Over the years, Christians have fallen into this trap.  It seems too simple to say that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus.  We think we must do something big that makes us worthy.  We think, “Who am I that God is mindful of me?  Who am I that I am deserving of God’s grace?”  

And the truth is, no one is deserving of God’s grace.   No one can do anything great enough to deserve God’s grace.  That’s why it is so wonderful that God bestows His grace upon us. 

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)

The Spirit Filled Life

Acts 4: 32-35

“32 Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. 33 With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. 35 They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.”

Early Christians were filled with the Holy Spirit and the Spirit instilled an intense sense of responsibility for one another.  They had a very real desire to share their resources with each other and to share the message of the gospel with the world.

This desire to give and care for one another arose not from the law, but from the Holy Spirit.

If we allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in the Christian life, we will always be led to grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness…

and never to hate, anger or retribution.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)