No matter how
disciplined we get, we never move beyond GRACE
Brennan Manning, the author of
the Ragamuffin Gospel, went to be with Jesus last week, so I read his biography, which is appropriately titled, all
is grace.
I’m convinced he’s right.
Everything is grace. And Jesus is the provider of grace.
The grace of Jesus meets me with love in my darkest hour
and deepest sin.
The grace of Jesus allows me to experience the pinnacles of
righteousness and holiness. But it’s all grace.
On your worst day, you’re never
out of reach of God’s grace.
On your best day, you’re never out of need of
God’s grace.
It’s his grace that transforms us from the inside out.
The closer you get to God, the more miserable things you will
find in your heart. This is not a negative thing - God allows it to let you
lose confidence in yourself. You will have accomplished something when you can
look at your inner corruptness without anxiety or discouragement and simply
trust God. -Francois Fenelon
It’s a grace so extensive
none are fully excluded.
It’s a discipleship so intensive none are fully
included.
Which means, we all need grace.
If we find ourselves succeeding in
spiritual growth and maturity…in applying the disciplines…that’s grace.
If we find
ourselves failing at some level or another in our thoughts or lives or
relationships…grace covers us.
Grace carries us, grace fills in the gaps. The disciplines are grace, and the beauty surrounding us is grace, and the forgiveness that we are desperate for is grace, and the new mercies in the morning are grace. And for this, we simply thank Jesus.
Everything is grace.
