September 19 - Frustrated.

Galatians 2:21
“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
 
Some people want to do everything themselves.
Maybe you are even one of them. 
 
Though we all struggle with this characteristic from time to time, there is one thing we must come to realize that we ourselves simply cannot contribute any part… our salvation.
 
Other than our sin to make it necessary and our faith to believe in Jesus, any attempt to contribute to our salvation nullifies our justification. 
 
Ephesians 2:8-9
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
 
Grace is getting something we do not deserve…a Gift.
 
Romans 3:24
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”
 
Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
 
If you have to work or pay for something is it still a gift?
Works negate grace.
 
Romans 11:6
“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
 
If we try to mix in our works, we disregard His plan of salvation.
There is nothing we can do to earn our way to Heaven, other than receive His grace through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. 
 
Any attempt to work our way to Heaven will only leave us frustrated and exhausted.
 
Romans 4:5
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
 
Jesus paid it all.
Rest in His grace today.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Isaiah 19-20   |    Proverbs 3