I'm reading in the New
Testament these days. I'm excited that
God has granted favor and I have been able to keep ahead of the reading
schedule and I will have read The Book the whole way through before Easter. It has been an adventure and a challenge and
I hope to do it every year. I am also
looking forward to doing some more in-depth studies during the rest of the year
since I haven't been able to do that while doing the overview.
Today, as I glance through my
notes, the things that pop out at me are mercy and grace. In Romans 9 - "So it does not depend on
the man who wills or the man who runs but on God who has mercy." In 1st Peter 1 - "...fix your hope
completely on the grace..." Faith
and deeds are so intertwined that it's easy to get confused about where our
salvation is anchored. We judge or
justify depending on our current season.
At the moment, I'm reminded about fearing God in regard to all this. If my salvation is ultimately dependent on
the grace of God, and if I can't make it all work in my favor, it seems that
fearing and honoring God is the only adequate response. On one hand, it is a bit frightening because
it's really all out of my control. On
the other hand, it is a comfort to know that it's not dependent on my fickle
and failing self, but on the God who created me and grants mercy and
grace.
So
I walk in fear and trembling because I have no control.
I
also walk in thanksgiving and joy because God's got this.
No
matter what.
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