I was justified by works, but certainly not by own works.

“Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.” (Galatians 1:4, NLT)

 “He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5, NRSV)  The gospel just doesn’t get much simpler than that.

Paul’s greeting to the churches of Galatia sums up the gospel.  “May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.” (Galatians 1:3, NLT)  Grace is God’s wonderful gift to me of everything I don’t deserve, everything!  Salvation, eternal life, love, forgiveness and especially peace.  When I begin to number God’s blessings in my life, the list goes on and on.

God, the One True God, who reveals himself to us Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Jesus who came to us so that we would know what God is like.  I enjoy seeing artist renderings of Christ.  “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” (Hebrews 1:3, NIV)

When I think of Jesus, grace and peace always come to mind!  When I was a child we sang a chorus, “He’s all I need.  Jesus is all I need.”  Of course, I understand that to mean, Jesus’ work for us is all I need for salvation, forgiveness, justification, redemption.  Because of him I have grace and peace.

Peace!