The Story

God's acceptance of us is not based on our self-improvement, but rather He declares us righteous by His grace. This is the foundation of the transformation in our lives. Spiritual change does not make us righteous, but being declared righteous is what leads to change. We did not reform our lives first and then come to God, but God gave us His Son first, redeemed us, made us His people, and cleansed us. The beginning of all this was not our intention, but the powerful grace of God. This grace teaches us to renounce ungodliness and worldly desires and to live a self-controlled, godly life in the present age, looking forward to the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good deeds. Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive the promise. If Jesus Christ had not given Himself for us, we would not be able to have a relationship with God and would not be able to have new life. The most valuable thing in the Christian life is not something we have acquired on our own, but a gift of grace that truly changes us. Our Father, who counts sinners as righteous in Christ, I praise you because you have accepted me and changed my life through your kindness. Please forgive me when I try to use my own goodness or self-improvement as the basis for approaching you. I thank Jesus Christ, who has given himself for me, and has made me righteous by His grace. May the Holy Spirit transform my life further, that I may bear fruit of His grace. Not to try to reason why He loves me, but to pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.