The New Living Translation has an interesting way of translating the word grace.  It calls grace "this place of undeserved privilege:  ²Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

I like that translation a lot, because grace IS a place of undeserved privilege.  Because of the sin in which we all exist, we deserve for God to turn us away, since He is just and holy.  Yet, because of Jesus' death on the cross in our place we are moved from a place of deserved punishment, to a place of UNDESERVED privilege!  We don't get what we deserve.  Many times over the years, when I've heard someone appealing to his place of privilege, (which he obviously thinks he deserves), say, "I only want what I deserve," I've thought, "I'm so glad I don't get what I deserve!"  I want grace.  I want to stand in the place of undeserved privilege, because as Paul put it, in that position we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory.  The reason we have hope in our lives as followers of Jesus, is because Jesus has made our lives hopeful!  He has dies so we may live.  He lived His life in perfection so we may know what it's like to live confidently and joyfully and to look forward to sharing God's glory.

All of that depends on the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives.  We can't earn something we don't deserve.  It's a gift.  Grace is a gift.  Jesus gives it to us, and then we receive it. Part of the gift is the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, who comforts us, strengthens us, guides us and assures us of God's love and presence in the most challenging times.  Do you stand in that place of undeserved privilege at this moment?  Do you know how much God loves you and desires to have you live in relationship with Him? Take a moment right now and either thank God for that knowledge or to ask Jesus to come in and become the Lord and Savior of your life, so you can live the rest of your life in that place of undeserved privilege in which every  believer stands!

Let's pray:  Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Jesus to die in our place, so we may stand in that place of undeserved privilege where we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing in Your glory!  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit right now, that we may experience the hope that comes from standing in Your grace.  This we pray in Jesus' name.  Amen.  im to come in and