I have been told that the deeper one goes in his walk with Christ, he is aware of the need for a deeper application of the Gospel to his life. My experience would support this idea. The closer I get and the better I understand Jesus, the more I see my need for grace.

But the deeper I go in my walk with Christ, I also find that there is in me a stubborn and deep seated resistance to the application of the Gospel. In brief, I have the desire to work hard enough and be perfect enough to not need grace. I want to be above criticism.

At the same time that I give mental assent to Romans 3:23 (“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”) I can be disconnected from the implications of that truth. I resist grace because I want to create the illusion that I don’t need it.

Of course I know that this is self deception in its purest form. It does not take more than a moment’s observation to see that none of us lives up to our own standard. We grade on a curve and still fall short.

Just think of how often we use the word “ought” with reference to how our behavior should be different. I ought to eat more vegetables. I ought to be more disciplined in how I spend my time. I ought . . .

The point is that I very much do need grace, lots and lots of it. I don’t want to need it but I do need it.

Thankfully, Paul reminds us in Romans 5:20, “but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (NASB). And later in the same letter, Paul tells us that if we are in Christ Jesus, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1).

The grace of Christ is always more powerful than my imperfection. And, that grace is freely given. I do not have to worry about whether my next failure has used up my full allotment of grace.

I don’t want grace (or at least I don’t want to need grace) but I am eternally grateful that it has been given to me.

What about you? Your thoughts are always appreciated. Feel free to comment below.

One of the advantages of reading a different version of the Bible is that different wording can awaken us to see a new application of the text. I experienced this while reading Psalm 23 this morning.

Psalm 23:3 (CSB): he leads me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.

I am old enough to be familiar with the KJV translation of Psalm 23 where verse 3 is translated, “he leadeth me in paths of righteousness for is name’s sake.” The emphasis seems to be on God leading us into a state of righteousness. Where righteousness is the destination.

The CSB translation seems to focus on God leading us on the correct path rather than an ostensibly righteous one.

I’m not a Hebrew scholar with the ability to choose which is the better translation but I do find some encouragement from the CSB translation.

Over the years, choices had to be made with regard to vocation, location and ministry. At times I wonder if I missed a sign along the way and drove off the designated route. Should I have pursued full time Christian ministry? Did I make the right choices along the way? These are questions that can bother me.

I am learning to trust that God can use my choices, even the faulty ones, to bring me to the place he wants me to be. Like a GPS that recalculates the route when I miss a turn, God can bring about his plan without my full understanding or cooperation.

I am comforted by the promise made by the Apostle Paul in Philippians:

I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6 (CSB)

Do you find this comforting? Please use the comment box below to share your thoughts.