Morning Prayer #18

Romans 5:8-11 (KJV) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

When Jesus died, he washed away the stain of sin from our lives. He justified us- making us right before God, even though we do not deserve it. This is the good news of grace. But God’s grace is always accompanied by mercy, which keeps us from what we do deserve. We deserve punishment, but Jesus took it in our place. The same spilled blood that delivered grace to us also delivers mercy.

Father, on my own I can only stand before you sinful, stained, and condemned, deserving of Your wrath. Thank you for sending Jesus to take my place, receiving the wrath that I deserved while also giving me a righteousness that I could never earn. Help me to live according to Your grace AND mercy so that others may know You, too. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.