“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
It is only by the grace of God that we are able to be saved. It is only through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, upon the Cross that we are offered the free gift of salvation. It is our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ -- believing that He walked this earth 2,000+ years ago -- that we are able to be found under the Blood. For it is the Blood of Christ that covers over all the sins of those who choose to repent and deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). Though Christ’s crucifixion died for all sins; it can only save those who freely choose to believe that He was the God-incarnated man Who both died and rose again.
It is God's grace that convicts us when we have done wrong.
Once we have chosen to accept Christ and deny ourselves, we then live the life of abiding in Christ. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 ESV). It is through the blessed gift of salvation where all fruits and treasures are found. We no longer live under condemnation! We can trust that once we are found in Christ, we can continue on in the Christian walk, knowing that our sins will not decipher our salvation. For though tough times are to come; and though we let God down, daily; we continue to rise again in the power of the Holy Spirit. For it is God’s grace that covers us and does not damn us when we sin. Rather, it is His grace that convicts us when we have done wrong. It is His grace that leads us to repent of our sin, and continue down the road of righteousness. It is His grace that makes us a new creature. “Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). We no longer live in fear, when we know that our loving Savior is near. He is our protection, and it is only by His death and resurrection that we can be saved.
Grace is not only forgiveness of sin; it is empowerment over sin.
Grace is the only sustainment in this life. Not only does grace forgive that which should not be forgiven, but it freely gives that which is not deserved. Grace is not only forgiveness of sin; it is empowerment over sin. Grace does not keep us stagnant, but is willing to lead us through the treacherous waters of life. It is God’s grace that is willing to reach out and grab us when we begin to sink. When we begin to sink, it is because we have sinned; and when we sin against God, we must allow conviction to have its way within us. We know we will never be perfect in this life. No saint of God has ever come close to becoming perfect in this life. It is only God’s grace that is willing to forgive us when we fall short.
It is important to note that when we sin, God’s grace covers us. We cannot express this enough, because we have an enemy that “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 ESV). When we sin, the enemy is quick to tell us that “God is angry with us and we can’t come back to Him”; when, in actuality, it is at the very moment we sin that we should “with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 ESV). It is only by God that we can live for God. When we suppress His nature within and we freely choose to sin, we must quickly: repent, ask for forgiveness and then move on; knowing that Christ’s Blood covers us. We must not allow the enemy to speak so lowly to us; especially, when we have God Himself living inside of us. We must continue on and “Fight the good fight of the faith” (1 Timothy 6:12 ESV).
It is God’s grace that not only saved us; it is God’s grace that changes us.
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12 ESV). It is God’s grace that not only saved us; it is God’s grace that changes us. It is the power of the Holy Spirit within that continues to speak, guide and lead us down the path of holiness. We are not perfect in ourselves, but we have the perfect God living within us. It is the sanctification of the Holy Spirit that reveals God’s grace. Who in their right mind would want to live inside one of us? And yet, God’s grace sends His Spirit and continues to work on us daily. Glory be to God that it is Him “Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began” (2 Timothy 1:9 ESV).
May we allow God’s grace to guide us. May we understand that “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 ESV). For it is God Himself Who “is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 ESV). When we choose to repent and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we can go through this life knowing that it is not by our works that we are saved. We can know that we are saved only by Christ; and it is only His Holy Spirit that will keep us on the right path. Do not allow the enemy to saturate your spirituality through condemnation; but continue to speak God’s Word which edifies the soul and ascends one above their iniquity and sin.
We deserve nothing; yet, we have everything when we have Christ. May God’s grace keep you until the day of His return.
Lance VanTine
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