“Grace, Grace, God’s Grace.  Grace that is greater than all my sin.”  These words are from an anthem our JOY choir is rehearsing for a future worship service.  It’s a medley from a cantata, “Amazing Grace.”

In order to get the real, heart-felt meaning of grace, we need to accept that we are really sinners in need of help.  Pastor Roy recently said that sin is self-centered.  Think about that!  How often do our sins come from a “me first” attitude?  Thinking of what I want and not what is best for my neighbor or what God might want for me.  We know that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, but until we realize that means Christ died “for me,” we won’t feel the heart-felt meaning of grace.  It might be like putting ointment on your finger.  It doesn’t do much good.  But if that finger has a painful cut, the ointment is a great pain reliever.  Grace is a pain reliever when we acknowledge our sin and realize that God’s grace is greater than all our sin.  May God’s grace be a real pain-reliever this Lenten season as you stand before the God of grace and repent of your sins.  That’s why we celebrate Lent.  It gets us ready for the glorious Good News of Easter and the completion of God’s amazing grace in the resurrection of Jesus Christ!

Read Acts 15:11 and Romans 1:7, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Helen