Living in the Power of Grace
By Jennifer Slattery
“For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14
You might not have recognized me, might even have tried to avoid me, had you met me in my teen years. I was a foul-mouthed, often drunk, angry and self-destructing kid. But then God began reaching deep into my heart, transforming and healing me bit by bit.
But though he shattered my chains of sin and heartache, through His grace, I hadn’t quite learned to step into that freedom. I hadn’t yet learned to live in my new identity—to allow His love and grace, and not my past or my shame to define me.
This was especially true when I behaved not as the redeemed daughter of Christ that I currently am but the bitter and sinful girl I’d once been. In those moments, and the regret that followed, I was tempted to believe that I still was that girl.
But that girl is dead and gone, never to return, because I have been crucified in Christ and He now lives, and reigns, in me. (Galatians 2:20).
No matter how I feel and regardless of the struggles I face, God’s precious, perfect Son lives in me. He broke the power of sin and death when He died on the cross. The minute I received His free gift of salvation, He unleashed His life within me. Because of Him, because of grace, I will never be the same.
When I pause to reflect on the cross of Christ, my gratitude stirs within me a desire to live better. To live fully as the woman He created me to be. To grab hold of that for which Christ grabbed hold of me. (Philippians 3:12).
He died to set me free. I honor Him and the price He paid when I learn to live, daily and deeply, in that freedom.
Jennifer Slattery is a writer, editor, speaker, and the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries. She writes for Crosswalk, iBelieve is a multi-published author of Hometown Healing among other titles who also writes articles, Bible studies, and devotions. When not writing, reading, or editing, Jennifer loves going on mall outings with her adult daughter and coffee dates with her hilariously fun husband. Visit her online at jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com or book her for your next women’s event.
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