Everything changed when I saw the grace of God for the first time. You may already know my story, but what’s yours? Do you have a story about grace? This is the place to tell it.
Feel free to treat the comment box below as a microphone. Tell us something about what God has done for you.
Some ground rules: (1) save the memoirs for your book – please keep your story to 1000 words or less, (2) no stone throwing – feel free to name and shame bad mindsets but don’t attack people, (3) don’t hijack the platform (i.e., no advertising). We’re not here to promote any particular ministry other than the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
So, what’s your story?
My journey to grace has major roots in the ministry of Escape to Reality. Many things came together from different sources and I saw that the so-called balance of law and grace was a deception. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Paul Ellis and his wife and family. Just folks, you know? You’d like them.
As I’ve journeyed on, I’ve mostly left the organized church. Just couldn’t do it anymore. That part has been hard. And I admit most of my fellowship is online. So far. A few of us locally where I live have a small group of grace people. It’s a start. Three people, Ha! And we’ve only gotten together once. But I’ve never been happier in my relationship with God. Or with other believers.
Grace is not a doctrine or teaching or ritual; Grace is a person and His Name is Jesus. And I have fallen in love with Him again. Oh, there will be much more to come; for there is much I have to tell and rejoice and hopefully help. Our Jesus is ALIVE and IN CONTROL. The Day draws near. Think of it this way: Jesus said no man (and he is man) knows the Day nor Hour of the Coming; nothing was said about the season and year. Think back to 2010 what was constantly on the news: pestilence, earthquakes, tsunamis = The Pale Horse, the First Seal. He keeps riding. Remember 2011 and the “Arab Summer” the declaration to destroy God’s people Jerusalem and Israel and wars, conflicts breaking out each day = the Red Horse, the Second Seal. He keeps riding. Now remember 2012 what has been the main news this year: no rain, fires, famine even in America for 2/3 of the Great Plains died = the Black Horse, the Third Seal. And he keeps riding. Whoa! Whoa! whoa! We shall not see the 4th; lift up ye gates for the King of Glory is coming! And Who is this King of Glory? He is the Last Man; the Avenger, the Last Chance for so many who will then die. But I always go to one of John’s books for comfort; perhaps because Jesus trusted His mother to John. Or just the John actually “got it” during the whole 3 years.
I’ll just say that, without God’s grace, I probably would not be at my top-choice college right now. I’d applied to this school and didn’t worry about the application, and I applied to many other universities and colleges (some very competitive ones in the United States!), and I worried constantly over whether or not I would be accepted into them. Guess what? The colleges and universities I worried over either wait-listed or didn’t accept me, but the one college that I’d really wanted to go to–at least, I had told God that this was my first-choice school I’d wanted to attend–accepted me! And not only did this college accept me, but it gave me such a generous financial aid package that I could not possibly turn the opportunity down.
The lessons I learned from my application process? Rest! And let the Father take care of the rest. Jesus’ blood has paid for my peace of mind, so to rest is to honor the Son’s work.
And grace is so much better than I can ever imagine.
In 2008, I was very nearly at the very end of my self when my teenagers youth pastor and our associate pastor began to teach (because they, through trials, tribulations and circumstances- came to the end of them selves) the truth of Who God is, what He did for us- and WHO we are because of Him. They began to teach what REALLY happened to US because we IN CHRIST, on the cross. That we are NEW creation in Christ, a new inner man- with a new spirit and new heart. They began to correct a lot of wrongs taught in church. And of course, my FLESH (I didn’t even know what flesh was) REBELLED!
BUT GOD! He allowed some circumstances in my life, that just brought me to the end of my self and to HIM! Amen, where I should be! An abiding believer!!!
It has been a beautiful journey these last 4+ years. The very first book that God used through this was Sidetracked In The Wilderness by Michael Wells. Gave to me by the youth pastor. Walking in Him, and He living in me- I can’t even describe the Life, the Joy and the Peace I have now….it’s Jesus!
As life-long christian….who tried to do everything I was taught- to be “christlike” “holy” and accepting to the Lord- finally came to the end of myself. I was frustrated, stressed to the point of constant anxiety, and was on medication to ease the symptoms. In the spring of 2012, thru a series of God ordained events…..the truth of who God really is came busting thru. Radical Grace was the key. It was an explosion! My foundation was rocked! I was angry at all the wasted years of unnecessary guilt and tormenting shame. How could all the teachers/leaders/pastors not tell me the truth?? It was a game-changer for me.
I am Righteous. My behavior or “good works” has NOTHING to do with it. Sin is not the problem, identity crisis was. The freedom that comes with the TRUTH of who I am and who the Father really is, brings comfort and freedom like nothing else. So, the fight that is stirring in America regarding this “hyper-grace, false security” is not a surprise. The battle Jesus faced with the Pharisees is a clue to the ferociousness of religious people and their fight to “be obedient and keep the law” as the way to become holy and christ-like. They will tear you up with misunderstood scriptures to protect man’s traditions. Scripture whipping by zealots will become more and more public. I am educating myself now to defend the true Gospel. No one can argue against my testimony. 30 years I did it their way (unending bible study, prayer, confession, prayer, rebuking the devil….etc) which did not end the torturous amount of daily guilt and sense of failure and disapproval of God. I desperately wanted His approval and delight in me. I could NOT have tried harder to meet the standards I was trained in. Yes, my stubbornness worked for me, as I did not give up, but got up after every “failure” and repented with tears and promises to “do better”.. I can testify with 100% accuracy…..religion and the “responsibility” of keeping all the commandments in the bible DOES NOT bring lasting change and transformation. Nothing can convince me otherwise as the pain of all these years has fueled an unquenchable fire in my belly. I will not shut up testifying of God’s goodness and passion for me. He is wildly in love with me. This statement always brings a smile to my face. Finally, I have Good News..
Hi ,
Can u please subscribe me to E2R.
Thanks,
Love u guys.
Grace be with you.
Colin
Sorry Colin, we can’t. Only you can do that. Follow the simple instructions here.