By God’s Grace

ByJim Stephens

Reading: Hosea 2-5; Hebrews 2

What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. (Hebrews 2:9 NLT) By God’s grace, Jesus the sinless one, experienced the consequences of sin so that we, the sinful ones, could experience the rewards of righteousness. In today’s Old Testament reading from Hosea 2-5, the story is that righteous Hosea lived with the adultery and unfaithfulness of his wife, Gomer, and forgave her again and again as a picture of God’s grace to sinful Israel and Judah. The Big Picture reading from Hebrews 2 is about how much God loves the people of this world he created. God loves us so much that he sent his perfect Son Jesus Christ, to show us the way we couldn’t find on our own, and to pay the sin-debt we couldn’t pay on our own. Because of God’s great love he sent his Son, and by God’s Amazing Grace, Jesus became our Savior, Redeemer, Shepherd, King, and Friend! God’s love has not changed! God’s Grace is still available in the same Amazing Grace quality and quantity. The God-loved people of this world still can’t find their way and still can’t afford to pay the sin-price on their own. Jesus is still the way! Here’s the question in my heart today: What’s my role? What’s your role in the here and now, in showing God’s grace to the people he loves? How does God want to demonstrate his grace through you and me? He has demonstrated his grace to us in more ways than we can count. But how does he want to demonstrate his grace through you and me today? What will it cost? Am I willing to pay the price? Are you willing? Prayer: Father, Thank you for your grace shown to me through the sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ. Help me, and all who read this, to be willing to show your grace to others. How do you want to demonstrate your grace through each of us in our place in the world you love? How do you want to love through us today? Please help us to do this well. Amen.

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