Amazing Grace
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Grace is the unmerited favor of God toward mankind, such as forgiveness, sanctification, and eternal life. It is impossible for sinful man to earn God’s grace, but only through his infinite love through Christ do we receive it. We accept grace by accepting Christ as our Savior and being filled with the Holy Spirit. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). Grace is a gift from God.
But God proves his own love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8). When our hearts realize that only God through Christ reveals his perfect love for us and offers us salvation through Christ, then we are changed. We become humble because Christ saved us and we have a thankful, loving heart that surrenders to the Lord’s love.
We rely on grace for our salvation and not our works. We live by faith serving the Lord as he molds us to the mind and heart of Christ. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). We reveal our new, Godly nature as we become more Christ-like.
God’s love through grace changes us to become more Godly. For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age (Titus 2:11-12). Our response to grace is a thankful, loving heart that desires to serve him. I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. (Psalm 9:1). This a a psalm of David giving thanks to the Lord and this should be our natural response. We were hopelessly lost and God paid the ultimate price to save sinful, undeserving us.
Since we have received God’s loving grace, we show grace to others, not because we have to but because we have received so much of God’s grace that it overflows to others. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another (John 13:34). God’s love in us cannot be contained and our thankfulness extends to everyone to the glory of God.
Today, think deeply about God’s grace and his great love for you. Think about how he saved you through his son’s sacrifice even while you were a hopeless sinner. Let these thoughts fill your heart through his love and let your thankfulness be reflected to everyone today.
Let’s Pray: Lord, let your grace fill my heart with love and thankfulness. Help me to realize my salvation comes from Christ and nothing I can ever do will make me worthy. My goal is to surrender to your loving will more each day, and to live my life pleasing you. In Jesus’ name, Amen