Free Ticket
By Paula Williamson, guest writer
Free ticket for what? Many beliefs are not grounded in Scripture. For instance, “I prayed that prayer and got my free ticket and can just live how I want to, forgiven.” Really? Surrendering our lives to King Jesus means serving Him, not ourselves. True, He paid the penalty for our sins, and it is through Him that we gain admittance to heaven, but I challenge you to find a scripture that supports the idea that we can live for ourselves because we prayed that prayer.
It Is Written
GALATIANS 5:19 -21 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Allegiance
Surrendering our lives to Christ means changing allegiance. We no longer serve ourselves but the King. Not to earn our salvation, but because our hearts have changed, we serve the one who has given us so much. If we are sincere about surrendering our lives to Him, we won’t want to live in a way that dishonors God and His family. The Holy Spirit within us will convict us, and we will be ashamed to do so. Our way of life does not earn our salvation. It shows the world whom we love and serve.
Prayer
Lord, change our hearts to be like Yours. Help us be about Your business. Help us to represent You rightly and to walk in a manner worthy of all You have done for us. Forgive us for dishonoring You and help us be quick to admit our faults and failures. Help us to love as You love and to live for an audience of one.
Takeaway
Grace is not a free ticket to live however we please; it is an invitation to surrender our lives to the One who paid the price for us.
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