Grace and a Christlike Spirit

I've been a Christian for a very long time. Interestingly, the concept of grace has had me confused. For most of my Christian life I've struggled with "how can works not play a part" in our salvation? If all you need is faith (and not works) in Christ then you have God's grace and mercy. Christ took all of our sins upon himself, therefore that makes us clean. Then does that mean you can be free to sin as much as you'd like? See, that's where I would get confused. Is it really that easy? Just have faith and you're covered?

In these last few months I've been reading the Bible and praying a lot more. Really trying to learn from it. Maybe learn is the wrong word, grow is better. Praying God will continue to reveal himself to me and for me to understand his grace. I was walking along in Half Priced Books a few weeks ago and a book by Max Lucado (who I love) jumped out at me. The book is "In the Grip of Grace". Max has explained grace so well. I feel God is working through Max to help others understand. Two sentences in his book summed it up for me and made grace crystal clear.

1. Mercy understood is holiness desired.
2. Grace fosters an eagerness for good.

I think I get it now. So maybe I've understood it all along? In my works I strive to be holy and good out of gratefulness and to glorify Him. If you truly understand (accept) His mercy and grace, you will desire to be holy, good, and Christlike. Right?

Makes me think of our friend Jerm. He had an incredible spirit. He had integrity, he was kind and loving, non-judging and lived life to it's fullest. He got it. After talking with Jerm's brother this last week he said "The more I learn about Christ, the more I try to be like Christ, I realized I'm becoming more like Jerm".

I'm going to go off on a bit of a tangent here. I was reading 2nd Peter last night before bed. Second Peter 3:10-11 talks about possessions and striving to develop Christlike character. It made me think of Jerm. A couple of years ago he lost half of his possessions in a hurricane. His family knew it had happened but David and I didn't. You know why? Because losing those "things" were unimportant to him. He never once complained about it. Things are unimportant. What is important is your character and let me tell you, Jerm had character. Fifteen years ago possessions were important to me. I recognized it and God started changing my heart. "Things" are not what matter. It's how you love. I don't care about that stuff anymore and haven't for a long time. "Things" don't impress me. But what does impress me is how someone loves.

So summed up: If you accept God's grace you will desire to be more Christlike. To me that shows a changed heart and genuine faith.