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Enough Grace Already
Day
23
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31 Devotionals on Grace · Tim Chalas

Day 23 — Religion Exhausts, Jesus Exalts

Jesus did not come to give you a better religion or even the best religion. He came to offer the way out of religion.

Religion demands from you and leaves you worn out and defeated. Jesus invites you to rest and victory. Religion is about what you need to change. Jesus changes you. Religion preaches that obedience makes the relationship secure. Jesus secures the relationship resulting in obedience. Religion tells you to do your best, and it still isn’t good enough. Jesus gives you His best and it is more than enough. Religion demands perfection. Jesus offers it. Religion requires you to go to church. Jesus declares you are the church. Religion exhausts you. Jesus exalts you. Religion tells you to be good. Jesus makes you good. Religion says to deny yourself. Jesus makes you a brand- new self. Religion tells you to pursue God. Jesus is proof that God pursues you. Religion’s goal is conformity. Jesus brings unity. Religion tells you how to get God to love you. Jesus is proof He already does!

RELIGION EXHAUSTS YOU. JESUS EXALTS YOU.

Reflect

  1. Religion exhausts us, but Jesus exalts us. In what areas of your life are you still giving your best only to feel like it is never enough?
  2. How does it feel to step off the treadmill of self-effort and recognize that Jesus secures your relationship first, allowing obedience to naturally flow from that safety?
  3. Which contrast from today’s reading hits closest to home for you, and how can you rest in Jesus’ version of that truth today?

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

—
Matthew 11:28
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