“But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved[.]” -Ephesians 2:4–5

This is the truth of grace. This is the Gospel. You were lost. Dead in your sin and skipping after desires of the mind, body, and this world. You were beyond help. But God.

In mercy. In love. When you were at your lowest, he brought you to life in Christ. By the work of Jesus on the cross, by his amazing grace, you have been saved.

The worst of what you suffered under, the worst the world had to offer, all silenced by grace. This is grace that gives you faith. This is grace that gives you salvation. This is grace that gives you purpose, passion, and an eternity of security in Christ.

Let your feet dance. Let your heart smile. Engage each face you see today with the same grace you have been given. Answer questions with the hope of Jesus. Know that life has been rough, and it will be rough; but God, in mercy, saved you.

Rest in that grace today.

“For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it, but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.” -Proverbs 2:21–22

The Proverbs are rich in practical wisdom. They help give us right categories for leading and for following, for seeking and avoiding. They are nuggets of truth. And they are all about Jesus.

The upright will inhabit the good land, the promised land, rich with blessing. Those with integrity remain. But the wicked will be cut off from the promise. The treacherous ones will be rooted out. We are the treacherous ones, no matter how clever we get at convincing ourselves that we can obtain uprightness, or righteousness.

But Jesus—the One we cling to as Savior—He is the upright man. The only man with perfect integrity. He inhabits. He remains. He is wisdom. And he gives it all to you. This is where you are granted residency in the land—by the work of another, by the righteousness of Christ.

Now in him, when you believe in his wisdom and uprightness, you are enabled and empowered to live the upright life. To experience integrity and to dwell with him in the land forever.

So get your wisdom on today. Run to Jesus, the upright man. Hear his words over you of acceptance, completion, and righteousness. Then live in the land secure and full of integrity.