For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14
“Once you have grace,” I said to him, “you are free. Without it, you cannot help doing the things you know you should not do, and that you know you don’t really want to do. But once you have grace, you are free. . .there is no power in existence that can force you to commit a sin — nothing that will be able to drive you to it against your own conscience. And if you merely will it, you will be free forever, because the strength will be given you, as much as you need, and as often as you ask, and as soon as you ask, and generally long before you ask for it, too.”
Thomas Merton (1915-1968) in The Seven Storey Mountain (New York: Image, 1970) 481-482.
We are en route home with mixed feelings stirring within us. We are filled with gratitude for the gift and freedom of grace and the unforgettable experiences together. Simultaneously, we feel compassion on those who are slaves to sin. If you are reading this and struggling with sin, run to Jesus, confess and find forgiveness and freedom.
There are few trees in Outer Mongolia (pictured above). While our group was fly fishing with some Mongolians. I saw this tree planted by a river and thought of Psalm 1:3. We are thankful to be supporting people who are dispensing grace freely and sacrificially in remote places and flourishing like this tree.
Join us. Support missions efforts so that that the good news of God’s grace is made known in the whole world. That’s what the everyone needs, because grace transforms us from wicked, selfish people to generous people who are eager to do what is good.