"For I saw full surely that ever as our contrariness worketh to us here in earth pain, shame, and sorrow, right so, on the contrary wise, grace worketh to us in heaven solace, worship, and bliss; and overpassing. And so far forth, that when we come up and receive the sweet reward which grace hath wrought for us, then we shall thank and bless our Lord.."
Julian of Norwich (Ch. 48)
The law says that those who sin deserve pain, shame and sorrow. But grace says that those who sin receive solace, worth and bliss! How can this be? It is because Christ through grace has won a reward for us in heaven. He has bonded us with Him and we are standing in His perfection and joy, and all the blessings of heaven that are His, He shares with us. This is not something we have to earn or maintain perfect performance in order to have. This is a gift, this is what grace is all about! We are under grace, not law. So no matter what human judgment on earth may say we deserve, in heaven grace is pouring out love, acceptance, glory, honor and bliss on us! These gifts are all freely given to us in Christ, and are the heavenly and eternal reward that grace has won for us! That means that no matter how we blow it down here, we are known as righteous ones in heaven, we are winners already in heaven, we are glorified and honored in heaven, we are given the bliss of heaven! It's a free gift that Mr. Grace Himself, our beautiful Lord Jesus Christ, has won for us and gives to us freely and unconditionally, with no strings attached.
"How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him."
Ephesians 1:3 (MSG)
A Prayer: Thank You for the blessings You have already given me freely, by grace!