Several years ago we were studying charity in the adult Sunday school class in our
congregation. My husband, Scott, was the teacher. As he taught the class, it all seemed to
point to grace. That was not what he intended, it just happened as he studied, listened to the
Lord and planned the class.
Grace had not been a subject we had really studied, discussed or dwelt on before, so it was
very interesting. In fact, one member shared that she had mentioned we were studying grace
to a person from a different congregation. That person had said, “You mean Protestant grace?”
I thought I understood mercy. God had been merciful to me many, many times. He had carried
me through many trials and struggles all my life. Grace is the UNMERITED love of God; love that
is not dependent on our works. I had always thought those that said they were saved by grace
were somehow cheapening God's sacrifice: that they got a free pass and then could do what
they wanted because they were “already saved.”
About that time, I was really struggling with issues in my life that were holding me back from
being close to the Lord. The sins of my past kept playing like video tapes in the back of my
mind. Constantly proving to me what a unworthy creature I was. Even though I had asked for
forgiveness for them and tried to make things right with the people involved, I still felt terrible
and guilty. I did not feel worthy to be blessed of God. I just could not seem to get past this. I
know now, this is exactly what Satan wants. He is the accuser, not Jesus.
As Scott was preparing for class, he found a book called, A Call to Grace by David Nasser. He
read it and suggested I read it, too. It was split in 39 short chapters and was intended to be
read, one chapter each day while fasting from some activity and praying, meditating and
journaling as part of the day’s lesson. I took the challenge and began.
While reading the book, I decided I needed to pray that God’s grace would become real to me.
God’s grace was only head knowledge. My heart had not received a testimony. I prayed that it
would become “heart knowledge.”
The book went through Ephesians 2:1-10 phrase by phrase; sometimes, even word by word. It
began to open my eyes to what grace was really about: the unmerited gift of salvation from
God. I began to wonder how I had spent 45 years in the church without really understanding it!
Without even feeling like it was important to me! Grace, I began to realize, is what the WHOLE
basis of the Christian walk is all about! Without God’s mercy and grace, we are all lost! Why
was it not the center of what we were taught? Why do we focus on the works? Works are our
response to God’s grace in our life! I’d been thinking backwards!
As I continued to read the book, pray and journal, my understanding grew, but it still was
basically head knowledge. I was learning and growing, but did I really understand God’s grace
in my heart? Had I really received His grace?
One day, as I was reading, I realized that my past wrongs had not been in the forefront of my
mind for quite some time. I realized that my past was no longer holding me back from the Lord.
I realized that I had been released from the baggage that had been holding me down. The
chains were gone! Just like in the song! At that moment, I finally understood grace. Amazing
grace! It was no longer just a song to me. It was a reality! I, such an unworthy sinner, had been
set free by Jesus. No one is worthy enough to receive his grace! We are all unworthy. But His
grace is free! Unmerited! His love was for me! I had never been filled with so much joy! I
finally knew what grace was, in my heart, not just my head.
Now, I know that no matter what happens, God’s grace is sufficient. Not that it makes me want
to sin because I know He will forgive me. Quite the opposite! It helps me to be a better
person. Because of His grace, I can praise Him and really mean it! When I praise Him and
commune with Him, He lives inside me and guides me and teaches me along the way. As He
guides me and lives with me, I have more joy! What a wonderful circle! What a great God! He is
full of mercy and grace!!
congregation. My husband, Scott, was the teacher. As he taught the class, it all seemed to
point to grace. That was not what he intended, it just happened as he studied, listened to the
Lord and planned the class.
Grace had not been a subject we had really studied, discussed or dwelt on before, so it was
very interesting. In fact, one member shared that she had mentioned we were studying grace
to a person from a different congregation. That person had said, “You mean Protestant grace?”
I thought I understood mercy. God had been merciful to me many, many times. He had carried
me through many trials and struggles all my life. Grace is the UNMERITED love of God; love that
is not dependent on our works. I had always thought those that said they were saved by grace
were somehow cheapening God's sacrifice: that they got a free pass and then could do what
they wanted because they were “already saved.”
About that time, I was really struggling with issues in my life that were holding me back from
being close to the Lord. The sins of my past kept playing like video tapes in the back of my
mind. Constantly proving to me what a unworthy creature I was. Even though I had asked for
forgiveness for them and tried to make things right with the people involved, I still felt terrible
and guilty. I did not feel worthy to be blessed of God. I just could not seem to get past this. I
know now, this is exactly what Satan wants. He is the accuser, not Jesus.
As Scott was preparing for class, he found a book called, A Call to Grace by David Nasser. He
read it and suggested I read it, too. It was split in 39 short chapters and was intended to be
read, one chapter each day while fasting from some activity and praying, meditating and
journaling as part of the day’s lesson. I took the challenge and began.
While reading the book, I decided I needed to pray that God’s grace would become real to me.
God’s grace was only head knowledge. My heart had not received a testimony. I prayed that it
would become “heart knowledge.”
The book went through Ephesians 2:1-10 phrase by phrase; sometimes, even word by word. It
began to open my eyes to what grace was really about: the unmerited gift of salvation from
God. I began to wonder how I had spent 45 years in the church without really understanding it!
Without even feeling like it was important to me! Grace, I began to realize, is what the WHOLE
basis of the Christian walk is all about! Without God’s mercy and grace, we are all lost! Why
was it not the center of what we were taught? Why do we focus on the works? Works are our
response to God’s grace in our life! I’d been thinking backwards!
As I continued to read the book, pray and journal, my understanding grew, but it still was
basically head knowledge. I was learning and growing, but did I really understand God’s grace
in my heart? Had I really received His grace?
One day, as I was reading, I realized that my past wrongs had not been in the forefront of my
mind for quite some time. I realized that my past was no longer holding me back from the Lord.
I realized that I had been released from the baggage that had been holding me down. The
chains were gone! Just like in the song! At that moment, I finally understood grace. Amazing
grace! It was no longer just a song to me. It was a reality! I, such an unworthy sinner, had been
set free by Jesus. No one is worthy enough to receive his grace! We are all unworthy. But His
grace is free! Unmerited! His love was for me! I had never been filled with so much joy! I
finally knew what grace was, in my heart, not just my head.
Now, I know that no matter what happens, God’s grace is sufficient. Not that it makes me want
to sin because I know He will forgive me. Quite the opposite! It helps me to be a better
person. Because of His grace, I can praise Him and really mean it! When I praise Him and
commune with Him, He lives inside me and guides me and teaches me along the way. As He
guides me and lives with me, I have more joy! What a wonderful circle! What a great God! He is
full of mercy and grace!!
| Testimonies of Jesus |
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