Favored One 2

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus.'” (Luke 1:30-31)

Favor with God. (Say it to yourself. “Favor with God.”) Mary had it (according to the angel). Mary had God’s favor. And what I want you to know is you can have it, too (if you don’t already). You can have God’s favor, too!

And God bless, Mary. I know this will get me in trouble with Catholics (of which I was one formerly and still cherish my heritage), but Mary was a sinner. (It’s true.) She was no different than any of us. The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) “All have sinned.” That includes Mary. She wasn’t perfect. I am not trying to disparage or dishonor her by saying that. The truth is I hold Mary in high esteem (where she belongs I’m convinced). Elizabeth declared, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42b) Yet Mary was still human (just like us). She needed a Savior (just like us). Mary needed God’s favor (just like us).

You don’t earn God’s favor by the things you do. (Mary didn’t.) You don’t earn God’s favor by the things you don’t do. (Mary couldn’t.) God just gives it. (2 Corinthians 9:15) God just affords favor. Let me say it again. God just affords favor by His own good pleasure and will. He just bestows it upon a person! Are you hearing what I’m saying? That wonderful lady long ago, Mary, was a godly woman, having been graced by God with the capacity to serve and love Him to begin with. (“We love, because He first loved us.”) She was made favorable by God, not by works, position, wealth or anything else. It was by faith that Mary gained God’s favor. And it is by that same faith that you can become a favored one, too. (Ephesians 2:8-10) Believe.