A Lifetime of Second Chances - In Touch Ministries - Charles Stanley

We can do nothing to deserve the Lord's kindness—He freely gives it because of His great love.

Romans 5:1-6

Paul used a beautiful phrase to describe the believer’s position in Christ: “We have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand ... ” (Rom. 5:2, emphasis added). This is no puddle of mercy, but rather a mighty ocean. The Lord’s kindness is endless, far greater than all of our mistakes.

Grace is an essential concept for believers to grasp: God sent Jesus to the cross to pay for our sin and now freely offers His forgiveness and favor to all. Many people misunderstand this, however—they may speak about God’s kindness as a gift, but their actions show they’re still trying to earn it. The truth is, if we have to merit or work for grace, it’s not a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9).

While the Word is clear that works can’t save us (Galatians 2:16), they can be beneficial for spiritual gr