Becoming Like Jesus: Scripture MemorizationSample

God’s Justice

In our efforts to internalize the truth of God’s word, it’s important that we don’t make the mistake of only believing the nice things God says about us. Because the Bible also speaks at length about how wicked and sinful we are. But, only focusing on the negative things would also be a mistake. So, what should we do? Recognize the mess that sin has made of us and remember that God’s mercy changes us into His masterpiece.

Today, we’re going to explore a passage of Scripture that captures both sides in one beautiful sentence.

Let’s dive in.

Pray ...

Lord, thank You for being gracious and just. You see all things for what they really are and You deal with them accordingly. At the same time, You offer us grace and mercy beyond our wildest dreams. Help me to see myself—the good, the bad, and the ugly—the way You see me. Help me to trust that Your goodness covers my brokenness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Read ...

But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:22-23 NLT

Consider ...

God is unbelievably gracious. He gives us more love and kindness than we could ever ask for or deserve.

God is also completely just. He makes wrong things right and calls all people to turn from their sinful ways.

God has set a time when He will deal with all sin, evil, and darkness once and for all. But, until that day comes, He has revealed that faith in Jesus is where we find forgiveness of sins and newness of life.

Sin always leads to death. It’s like a parasite that eats away at us from the inside until there’s nothing left. Every sin we commit is an act of disobedience against a holy and righteous God. Sin inflicts violence on people made in God’s image and ravages the good world He created. The just punishment for such heinous crimes? Death.

Grace is so beautiful because sin is so ugly.

God is just. And He is also gracious. He freely offers us the greatest gift we could ever be given: eternal life in Christ Jesus.

In the love of God, grace and justice come together in perfect harmony. They are not competing forces waging war on one another. They are necessary ingredients in the recipe that is the unconditional and unfathomable love of God.

Sin is ugly and it is always fatal. Grace is beautiful and it brings new life.

Practice ...

Let’s continue internalizing the truth found in Ephesians 2:8-10. Pull out that notecard or flip back to that page in your journal. Copy the verse down in a different color and say it out loud as you write.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, sonone of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT

If you’re using an app or another memorization method, keep doing what works for you! The point isn’t to follow a particular style of memorizing Scripture, but to accomplish the goal of getting the truth of God’s word buried deep in our hearts.

Listen ...

Set a timer for 5–10 minutes.

Create space in your mind and heart to hear from God. Lead into your listening by using those verses from Ephesians as a prayer:

God, thank You for saving me. Your grace is a gift and I am so grateful for it. You didn’t save me because of the good things I’ve done, so I have no reason to boast. You saved me because You love me. You are a master artist, and You’ve made me into a masterpiece. Because of Jesus, I have been made new. Now, I can do the good things You planned for me to do before I was ever born.

Next, ask God to speak to you. And then, simply listen.

When you get distracted, come back to Jesus by reading the verses you just wrote down. Say them out loud. Focus on each line and let the truth you are learning redirect your thoughts.