Once I was making an overnight road trip to Disney World and made a 3 am pitstop. In my groggy state, I got back in my car and started driving in the wrong direction for 90+ minutes – going North instead of South. It made no difference that I was driving perfectly, maybe even better than those around me. No matter. It wasn’t until I had the revelation that I was headed North, and Disney was South, and changed my direction by 180 degrees could I be back on track to reach my desired destination.
I used to think Works and Grace were parallel roads and both would lead you into a right relationship with God. Grace was kind of the feeder road you took when you ran into snags, but as soon as you could, you jumped back on the Works Highway and floored it – doing as many good works as possible. My efforts made God smile and I was improving my standing with God. However, after the Pin was Pulled I realized it was ONLY Grace alone that could put me in right standing with God. It is now from the firm foundation of Grace that I am able to see the fruit of the Spirit growing in me.
It didn’t matter how well I drove or how much I preferred to drive North, I was never going to reach my destination. Disney is South. Righteousness is Grace.
Romans 11:6 NASB
But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, since otherwise grace is no longer grace.
Galatians 2:16 NASB
nevertheless, knowing that a person is not justified by works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law; since by works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
Troy | GG Team