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In their book,  “It Is Finished: 365 Days of Good News” Tullian Tchividjian and Nick Lannon told the story of a friend, Dr. Rod Rosenbladt, who wrecked his car when he was sixteen years old after he and his friends had been drinking. Rod called his father following the accident and his father asked him,

“Are you alright?”

He confessed he was drunk, and was terrified about how his father’s response. Later that night, he wept and wept in his father’s study, embarrassed and ashamed. After he finished crying, the father asked him,

“How about tomorrow we go and get you a new car?”

Rod said he “became a Christian” in that moment! God’s grace became real to him in that moment of forgiveness and mercy. Rod, who was nearly seventy at the time of writing, spent his life as a spokesman for the theology of grace!

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.  Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.  But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.  And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.  For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 
(Romans 5:6-10 NLT)

Is that not how grace works? We know that what we deserve is punishment, yet we receive mercy and grace. In the NIV Bible, Romans 5:8 reads:

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Rod recounted that people got upset whenever he recounted his story, indicating his father should have used the opportunity to teach him responsibility. His father showed mercy and grace that awed him, making him a mister of the gospel.

The greatest tragedy in Christianity today is when people come down in judgment, when they should rather be showing grace and mercy. Some have a very nice name, ” “ostracization,” for it. This has sent so many, potentially loyal children of God, right into the hands of the enemy.

God’s judgment often comes with His mercy. We are here because we were all beneficiaries of mercy and grace. In case we have forgotten, let us not forget the heart of Jesus when he said,

“He who is without sin should throw the first stone.”

God is so Holy, He cannot stand sin; but so loving He cannot abandon the sinner. Everyone who truly knows God, knows this truth.

MEMORY VERSE

The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
(Psalm 103:8)

QUESTIONS

Has God, or anyone shown you grace and mercy?

Can you pay it forward by showing mercy and grace to someone?

PRAYER TIP

Father, thank you for your mercy
and grace. Please help me to be
Your true ambassador by also
showing  mercy and grace
to others.  

URGENT CALL

Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!

God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.

The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.

Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.

It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.

If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!

Do you want to make that decision today?

Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer”
for guidance if you want
to make that decision.

Then develop your new relationship
with God through your Quiet Time.

Then find a Bible-Believing Church
where you can Fellowship with like
minded people.

We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!

God richly bless you

SPECIAL GRATITUDE

Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.

We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.

We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.

God richly bless you.

The Testimony Devotional website addresses are:

https://testimonydevotional.org/

https://testimonydevotional.com/