An epiphany about doom? Or grace?

walking in epiphany truth

Today's Truth from Scripture

"The Lord said to Moses, 'Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.'" Leviticus 19:1-2
(Jesus speaking in His Sermon on the Mount), "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48

Today's devotional thoughts

Throughout the Epiphany season--which is rapidly drawing to a close--I've been working with this definition of "epiphany," from dictionary.com:  "The reality or essential meaning of something. I like to think of an "epiphany" as comparable to drinking that first cup of dark roast coffee [Seattle's Best Dark Roast #5] in the morning, waking from my stupor, & with eyes wide open shouting, "Wow! I've just had an epiphany!"

God's Word is Truth, so when I read passages like those found in Leviticus & Matthew 5, I don't say, "Well, those verses applied to God's Old Testament people," or, "Jesus was preaching to people in 1st century Galilee." No, it's more likely that I say, "I am a poor, miserable sinner who can't possibly be perfect. I guess that I am surely doomed."

Once again, time for another epiphany. Here's what I read in 1 Cor. 3:11. "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." I take this to mean that my foundation is not built upon the sand of my good works. Jesus builds my faith upon His own solid Rock--my Lord & Savior's saving works. Forgiveness & salvation are found nowhere else. Amen? Amen!

Today's prayer thought *

(St. 1) "Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, 
Grace that exceeds our sin & our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary's mount out-poured, 
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.
(Refrain) Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that will pardon & cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!

(St. 4) "Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?
(Refrain) Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that will pardon & cleanse within;
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin!"

* Marvelous Grace, source unknown.