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Another Aspect of Grace: Easter Reflections

April 15, 2022 by Lauren 24 Comments

Easter reflectionsWell, the Super Bowl for churches has arrived.  Even if you aren’t a regular church attender, you might consider going this weekend.  The buildings will be spiffy, the music top notch and the staff and volunteers ready to serve.  All of this is to make you feel welcome but, more importantly, it’s to honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  It’s our annual public celebration of the most important event in human history.  Thank you in advance for reading my Easter reflections.

 

This holy day commemorates the eternal security of the believer through the atoning work of Jesus Christ.  And those are a bunch of churchy words my life group is currently studying in depth right now.  In what I hope is more “plain speak”, I will attempt to sum up what that means.

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Reflecting on Easter’s Meaning

 

All humans mess up (called sin).  God is perfect so he can have no part of sin.  The punishment for sin is eternal separation from God (or death).  God had a perfect Son (Jesus) who sacrificed himself in death, taking all of our sin with Him in the process.  Because He took it, we no longer have that barrier between us and God.  God allowed this substitution because He loves us.  By believing on this and giving God His rightful place as Lord of our lives (He is the creator of the universe), our sins are forgiven and we get to be with God forever – in part here, but forever in heaven after our time on earth is done.

 

Ok, I’m reading it back and it’s not very “plain”.  It can be even harder to understand than it is to explain.  If you have questions about this part (or anything I write) I would love to talk to you in person or online.  Just comment on this post or send me a private message here.

 

Now that the groundwork is laid, let me share what I’ve been thinking about:

 

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”  Titus 2:11-12

 

This passage struck me in a brand new way this week.  There is nothing we celebrate more than “grace” at Easter.  It is His grace that forged a way for us to be in relationship with a perfect God.  Because of grace He allowed His son to sacrifice Himself for us.  This grace offers salvation to all who will accept it.  “Oh, praise the one who paid my debt.”

 

But God’s grace doesn’t stop there.  It saves us, but it also sanctifies us.  “It teaches us to say ‘no’ to ungodliness and worldly passions…”  Grace shows us what it looks like to “live self-controlled, upright and godly lives”.  This is why what we do matters – even though our sins are forgiven.  We cannot accept one part of grace and not the whole.  God offers His grace to us in our sin, and gives us a way out of it.  Transformation in this life and salvation in the life to come.

 

Easter’s Invitation

 

If you have accepted God’s gift of grace, join me this Good Friday in a time of reflection and confession over the ungodliness and worldly passions we currently wrestle with.  Then we can come before God this Easter with a full appreciation for everything His grace does for us!  If you don’t know the gift of grace today, why not?  What’s holding you back?

 

Happy Easter!

 

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

 

Prepare for something I’ve never done before on the link up.  I’m featuring two posts!  I just couldn’t decide and didn’t want to have to this time.  First, Susan of carryonmyheart.com wrote a beautiful love letter to her dog and lessons she’s learned from her in Be Nice to Tilly.  This fur mama couldn’t resist.  And Grace and Truth’s own Maree Dee gave us an older but beautiful Easter reflection of her own in Will You Let Easter Pass with Just a Glance?

 

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Now Let’s Link Up!

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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Filed Under: Bible reading, Christian, Easter, grace, Jesus, salvation

Comments

  1. Yvonne Chase says

    April 15, 2022 at 8:28 am

    I am the only Christian person I know who intentionally does not go to church on Easter Sunday for all the reasons you mentioned in the first paragraph. My seat is reserved for the person who only attends on Easter. God willing I plan to attend tonight’s Good Friday service. P.S. I am at a new church this Easter therefore I might show up to see how they do things. Happy Easter to you and your family.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 16, 2022 at 8:36 am

      I love the thought of leaving the spot for someone else, Yvonne. How hospitable of you! Whether you decide to go to your new church or not, have a happy Easter!

      Reply
  2. Barb Hegreberg says

    April 15, 2022 at 8:40 am

    What a GREAT way to explain the most important story ever told. I pray that your words help a reader or two to take the next step on their journey to the foot of the cross! ✝️⛪💗

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 16, 2022 at 8:35 am

      Oh, Barb, that is my most heart-felt prayer.

      Reply
  3. Donna B Reidland says

    April 15, 2022 at 1:15 pm

    Where would we be without His grace? Thanks for reminding us of just how central it is to our faith, Lauren.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 16, 2022 at 8:34 am

      I’m so grateful for it, Donna. Thank you.

      Reply
  4. Barbara Harper says

    April 15, 2022 at 1:44 pm

    That’s such an important point, that salvation isn’t just about forgiveness, but it’s about grace and help to live for God as well.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 16, 2022 at 8:34 am

      Thank you, Barbara. Happy Easter!

      Reply
  5. Amy Johnson says

    April 15, 2022 at 4:12 pm

    I think you explained it as clearly as possible! Happy Easter!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 16, 2022 at 8:33 am

      Thank you, Amy. Happy Easter!

      Reply
  6. Maree Dee says

    April 17, 2022 at 11:00 am

    What a fantastic explanation of Easter! I love that you encouraged others to go to church and shared God’s extraordinary grace. Happy Easter to you and your family. You are in my prayers right now.

    Thank you for the feature. I am so glad it penetrated your heart.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 18, 2022 at 9:22 am

      Thank you so much for the prayers – and I am always pleased to share your word, friend.

      Reply
  7. Holly Breton @ Pink Lady says

    April 18, 2022 at 10:15 am

    Amen and Happy Easter!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 19, 2022 at 1:30 pm

      I pray your Easter was lovely, Holly.

      Reply
  8. Tea With Jennifer says

    April 20, 2022 at 5:47 pm

    Amen! I pray the harvest is plentiful Lauren!
    Blessings,
    Jennifer

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 21, 2022 at 10:28 am

      Oh, me too, Jennifer. Amen.

      Reply
  9. Carol says

    April 21, 2022 at 6:33 am

    I hope you enjoyed a joyful Easter Sunday! Thank you for participating in Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 16.
    Carol
    http://www.scribblingboomer.com

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 21, 2022 at 10:27 am

      Our Easter was mostly good! Ha.

      Reply
  10. Anita Ojeda says

    April 21, 2022 at 11:00 am

    Without God’s grace, I would be lost for sure. May I work without ceasing to be gracious to those who offend me.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 21, 2022 at 2:21 pm

      What a perfect prayer. Praying that for myself today as well.

      Reply
  11. Jan says

    April 22, 2022 at 9:25 am

    I love your exploration of Grace, reminding us anew how much we are loved!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 22, 2022 at 12:47 pm

      Thank you, Jan. I’m so grateful for His undeserved love.

      Reply
  12. Wordless says

    April 22, 2022 at 4:05 pm

    Thank you for sharing this powerful message with Your moment blog hop!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      April 22, 2022 at 4:08 pm

      Thank you for hosting!

      Reply

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I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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