The Grace Effect

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect . . ." (1 Corinthians 15:10)

The effect sin has upon me is ugly. If an artist could paint its ugliness on the canvas, I am not sure I would look into its face.

The effect of sin has with it immense pain. Others that were hurt by my sin would not be something I would want to see on the artist's canvas. I do not want to see that either because the effect of my sin on them who I have said I love is too great. I know why the Apostle Paul said in his letter to the Roman church, "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24-25).

The song "Amazing Grace" takes on new meaning to me. When I look at the artist's canvas of the Christ on the cross and when I look deeply into the pierced hands, feet, and body of Him on the tree and awaken to the reality that Jesus died for me, I see something new. The effect of sin has been supernaturally transformed into the effect of grace. Now the grace effect on me is service, worship, and love, and oh, how I love to look deeply into that canvas!

Love,
Chappy

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