Contemplating God's Grace

"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross."? - Colossians 2:13-14 NIV

Let’s contemplate the magnitude of what God has done for us in Christ Jesus.

These verses begin describing our former state: dead in our sins and the uncircumcision of our flesh. Describing our hopelessness and spiritual death that characterized our lives apart from Jesus. We were bound by the weight of our sins, unable to free ourselves from the bondage of guilt and condemnation.

But then, in His endless mercy and unfathomable love, God intervened. He made us alive with Christ. Through the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross, our sins were forgiven, and the legal indebtedness that stood against us was canceled. It was paid. The weight of that burden was lifted from our shoulders—the burden of guilt, shame, and condemnation—nailed to the cross with our Savior.

This is the the gospel message, the good news: salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not by our own merit or righteous deeds, but by the unmerited favor of God that we have been reconciled to Him. Our sins, that once were a barrier separating us from God, have been removed as far as the east is from the west. We have been forgiven, justified, and adopted as beloved children of God.

Reflecting on the depth of the grace of God should evoke in us gratitude and humility. A grace that surpasses our understanding, a love that knows no bounds. May we never cease to marvel at the wonder of our salvation and the price paid for our redemption.

Power of 4 Discussion Question:

How does the reality of God's grace and forgiveness inspire you to live a life of gratitude and extend grace to others?