As I was studiously doing some last minute homework a few minutes ago (which so happens to be a chapter summary out of a book regarding the history of the Old Testament) I stumbled upon something amazing regarding the nature of God. This is a quote from a book titled The Epic of Eden which I found to be so deeply moving I must share it with all of the cyber universe. Sandra Richter writes:
God’s actions on our behalf precede our actions on his behalf. We do not obey in order to win His grace; we obey BECAUSE we have received His grace. Even so, it seems that in every generation God’s people manage to enslave themselves (and those under their care) to some form of legalism that demands obedience before grace. Something about the fallen human heart compels us to attempt to MAKE ourselves good enough for God before we feel free to embrace His offer of love for us. Worse, we feel compelled to force others to be good enough before allowing them access to God’s grace. But the truth of redemptive history is that we obey BECAUSE we have been loved; the stipulations follow the historical prologue. Perhaps if we teach this to our children they still might want to be Christians when they come of age.
Amen. even though this is one of those messages we as Christans hear often, It is refreshing to be reminded of the grace God offers us. :)
