I have a confession to make. I’m just like you.
1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am . . .
There’s so much profound truth in this little statement the Bible. I want all of you to know that this verse is true for my life—I am what I am only because of the grace of God.
Grace means that God gives us favor even though we don’t deserve it. God has forgiven me of all of my sins even though I don’t deserve it. He allows me to serve him even though I don’t deserve it. He has saved me and given me a place in heaven even though I don’t deserve it.
Recently I started listening to and old CD of mine by a Christian band called Jacob’s Trouble. I especially like a song called “Just Like You.” Here are excerpts of the lyrics:
If I seem to have the answers,
If I seem larger than life,
If I seem to be so holier than though,
If I seem to have my act together,
And everything’s just right,
If seems to you my hand is on the plow
Call it an illusion baby, call it what you like
But there’s one thing you must understand tonight
(chorus)
I make all the same mistakes that you do
I fall flat on my face just like you do
I cry out for mercy just like you do
I fall on my knees and pray
Just like you do—I’m just like you
Well I struggle to be honest
And I struggle to be brave
And I try to give away this heart of mine
Well I try to keep my balance on this tiny little wire
And I try to keep my pearls away from swine
You might see me stumble, and you’ll probably see me fall
But then for the grace of Jesus go us all
The lyrics are even more meaningful to me today than they were fifteen years ago (when I first became a fan). Perhaps you think ministers, pastors or missionaries have conquered all of our struggles. Not true. I still need God’s grace every day. I pretty much have the same struggles, temptations, and fears that you do.
That’s the amazing thing about grace and a relationship with God. We need His grace until the day we die. The more we grow spiritually, the more we see that we need Him.
I want to be a good example for all of you students. I hope that when you see me you are inspired to grow closer to God. Just remember that I am no better than you. I am what I am only because of God’s grace. If God can change me, He can change you. If God can use me, He can use you.
I hope you know what is like to experience God’s grace and power in your life. Please contact me if you do not know how.
Thanks for sharing the lyrics of that song and how you strongly identify with them. I feel exactly the same way. Just this weekend, I had to tearfully confront a couple about their premarital sin (they have to get married this month because the girl is pregnant). It was again a powerful reminder to me that I can fall just like them. Because God’s grace is what they need right now, I am learning to keep loving them. – ate joy
Perfect article for people like me who indeed is having struggles in continuing to become a better christian. All the questions that were raised right here in my head were answered — t’was in the lyrics of the song PLUS your testimony that you are just a regular person, like me, who still sin but manages to survive because of the grace of God.. Miss A