Daily Scripture 2016.08.05
Ephesians 1:7 "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace."
Jesus is the "Him" where we have redemption and nowhere else. The word that they used for redemption is "lootruo" which means "to liberate on the receipt of a ransom". We aren't redeemed by his sinless life, his love or his example, but only thru his blood. And this was was "in accordance with the riches of God's grace" - This is not a small thing!!
God has changed our lives because we have opened our hearts to become the men that He sees us to truly be. And we recognize that & are grateful for it. But to what level is our gratitude? Is it a passing thought? Nominal? How strong are we to show grace, remembering the grace that God has given us? Or is God barely in the picture when times become stressful?
This scripture means a lot to me right now, as my ex-wife and her husband are on a warpath towards me bc I am standing up against her selfish & rude behavior (in a calm, respectful,... manner) I'm amazed at how angry people can get when you try to show them the error of their ways. I want to lash back out, and show her how impossible she's been, and yet... where is grace? I know that I can't change her... But God can. So I have to love them, and show them that love, while still standing firm in this idea of "civil interaction".. I have to pray to Him to help me do this, but to also want this... bc she is extremely frustrating. Pray for me, brothers.
