I was on the "seeker-friendly" website that the LDS church publishes earlier this morning, www.mormon.org. I do that from time to time because I feel like God reminds me about himself-- like as I'm reading a little "ping" goes off in my spirit & a verse flies to the front of my consciousness that doesn't seem to jive with the doctrine I'm reading. Never has that happened to me more vividly than today. This is what popped into the little window when I clicked on the word "grace":
"It is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, made possible by his atoning sacrifice, that mankind will be raised in immortality, every person receiving his body from the grave in a condition of everlasting life. It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men & women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts."
SMACK!
Isaiah 64:6, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."
In a book I was reading recently called "Crazy Love" by an author named Francis Chan, it was vividly pointed out that the literal translation of the phrase "filthy rags" is menstrual garments (think used tampons). Now keeping this in mind, I'd like to tell you a story.
Her life was cut short, only in her mid-thirties the Lord called her home. She had lived a good life, one that would make her mother proud, one that was primarily characterized by her sweet and gentle approach and love of people. Now she was confronted with a table that had two chairs, one on each side, but facing each other. It reminded her of the tables she saw on the crime dramas she used to watch, the ones where suspects and witnesses would be questioned. The single light hanging above it added to this familiar ambiance. A man appeared and sat at one end, motioning for her to sit opposite him. As she sat, he broke the silence with a question.
"So what do you have that might get you out of this mess?"
She raised her arms quizzically and glanced around at the floor beside her chair. There it was-- she recognized it because it was one of her most prized possessions, something she clung to in times of self-doubt. Beside her sat a big bag full of gold coins, but these coins had pictures on them of the many good deeds she had done throughout her relatively short life. She reminisced as she picked one up, this one had a picture of her painting a house that was re-built after a hurricane. She tenderly set it on the table in front of her. Instantly it was transformed into something ugly, a repulsive rag. In her embarrassment, she hurriedly brushed it onto the floor. More careful to select something really treasured, she sifted through the bag. Her face lit up as she pulled out one of her most valuable coins. This coin had a picture of her child on it. She knew that raising him was left to someone else now, but she had taught him the most important life lessons the best she could. Cautiously, she set the coin down. Again it became different, and again she brushed it onto the floor. Over and over she frantically set her coins on the table, trying to show this man that she did a whole lot of good things, but they all ended up in a pile on the floor. Disheartened, she stood up next to her pile of rags and began crying, apologizing for not having anything better to give.
The man stood up from his chair, and approached her with his hands outstretched. The wounds were familiar, the blood still fresh.
"My child," he said, "have you forgotten? It is by grace you are saved through faith, and not by works so that no man can boast. It is my gift!" (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Melting, she sobbed. She did remember, but had become distracted by the pride she felt watching her coin collection grow. Now it was so clear, nothing she brought to the table was good enough, only the faith she displayed by clinging to her Savior could wash away her sin. She had been saved by grace.
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
I agree that God's grace gives us the strength to do the things he calls us to do (see also 2 Corinthians 9:8), but when it comes to our SALVATION, there is no "best efforts." HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT! If pride, or anything else, has been keeping you from receiving God's grace fully, it's time to repent and ask Him to give you more of what He has for you. Grace is God's plan of salvation.
This post is dedicated to my sweet dad and my dear friend Katy (the ultimate perfectionist). I pray daily that someday you might embrace grace.
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