As I consider the challenges and struggles of so many people, I often think those nine words that humble me and keep me strong: there but for the grace of God go I. Then I get more honest with myself, and eight similar (yet different) words come to mind: there before the grace of God went I. I’m no better than anyone else. In fact, maybe I’m worse than anyone else. I’m certainly prone to living far away from God; in fact, I’ve done so. But I don’t ever want to again and, Lord willing, I won’t. There but for the grace of God…

 

When the apostle Paul wrote to the members of the church at Corinth, he pointed out where some of those believers had been, but he also reminded them of the new place to which God had brought them:

 

⁹ Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men ¹⁰ nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

 

I was destined for separation from God, but He separated me from the world and a life lived without Him. I was filthy, but He washed away my sins in the waters of baptism. I was guilty and deserved punishment, but He paid the price for me and He looks at me now and says, “no penalty for you.”

 

I’ve been there. I could go there again. But, thanks to God, I won’t.

 

Troy Burns