Grace

This summer at Pine Cove I had the chance to share the testimony of God’s grace in my life to all of the 6^th graders one night. I cannot explain to you how amped up I was to get to explain what God has done in my life to those young men and women. The purpose of the talk (and the true essence of a testimony) was to talk about how the Gospel has impacted my life and what my response is to Jesus in everyday life. I prayed hard that God would use my story to challenge those kids to love Him with their entire lives. I pray that God does the same to you.

I started the talk that night with the conclusion. My life is not about making money, growing comfortable, or fulfilling the American Dream, but is about loving, serving and following Jesus wherever He leads  no matter the cost, because of the great Grace and Mercy He has extended to me. Ultimately, because God has changed my heart to love Him with everything, this is my purpose.

I grew up as a preacher’s kid in a small town in East Texas; very humble beginnings. In school, I was pretty good at just about everything. By all worldly perspectives I had it all together most areas of life; scholastically, athletics, social, talents, religion, etc. I was saved when I was about 6 or 7 years old, when I first felt the weight of my sin against a holy God. However, all through Middle School and High School, church was a game that I played and another hobby that I practiced. I was the epitome of the rich young ruler from Matthew 19:16-22. I had it all together to the people around me, but inside I was a wreck and did not love Jesus with all that I was. A sinner hardcore. I went to Texas A&M as a Petroleum Engineering major looking to fulfill the Christian version of the American Dream (which I would venture to say is not Christianity); get a great job, have a great salary, be a good father, maybe be a deacon. Comfort and ease is what I desired. I truly thought this is what it was all about.

But God…

But God – two of the greatest words in the whole Bible – check out Ephesians 2:1-8.

But God, awoken my heart to Him and His glory. I started reading the Bible finally and living in true community. God has made some major changes to whom I am. I passed from death in my sin to life in Christ. However, this was not because I began to seek Him or because I read the Bible or whatever. It truly was only because of God’s grace—a gift truly unearned and undeserved on my part. This work in my life is completely from God, because by all accounts I thought that I had it together. Only by God’s mercy, did He awaken my heart to desire and love Him with all that I am. It was not because I could do enough deeds to earn salvation, but because of His grace and mercy.

In Titus 3:3-7, Paul is reminding Titus of some major truths. He talks about who we once were before Christ came and opened our eyes to see who He truly is. We were slaves to sin, just passing our days by. Then Paul reminds Titus that when the goodness and loving kindness of God appeared to us, He saved us. Then Paul goes on to talk about who we have become now that we are heirs of Christ. Essentially, Paul preaches the Gospel to Titus, which is the power unto salvation.

In Titus 2:11-14, Paul expands on who we are now that we have been redeemed. God’s grace (something we do not deserve or earn) trains us to renounce ungodliness, to live holy lives, to be cleansed from all lawlessness, and to be eager for good works. The Christian life is not about punching our ticket to Heaven and staying right there – we passionately pursue God and His will with everything we have.

This Gospel has come and radically changed my life. My response to His grace and mercy is to love Him with all that I am. Love the Word of God. Love Community of Believers. Love Making Disciples. Passionately follow Him wherever He leads. For me this could be any number of things; mission field, pastor, starting an oil company to fund Gospel-focused humanitarian aid, or any number of other things. Who knows? I know  my life is not be focused on making money, being successful, making it big or being comfortable – I am to be about making disciples. Maybe I am supposed to be a good husband, father and petroleum engineer in Midland, Texas. My purpose is not to speculate, but to live the life that God has given me as I grow in the knowledge of Him. I was not made to be somebody, I was made to know Somebody.

Why would I completely give up my life to Him? He is infinitely more valuable than any earthly treasure or pleasure. He has completely changed my life and given it true meaning. He died for me, in my place, the death I deserved—the Great Exchange; he gets my sin and I get His righteousness.

I pray that God would awaken your heart to love Him above all else. Seek Him with everything!