“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 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: 1-10 NIV
5min read
Each moment of each day we need the grace of God in our lives. Grace to have our eyes opened. Grace to forgive. Grace to repent. Grace for healing. Grace to love as He loves. But what I believe we need most, the grace to receive. To receive His love. To receive His word. To receive the bloodshed on the cross. It’s what empowers the change in our lives. Because where would we be without His grace?
Throughout my journey in faith I have come to understand that it has been His grace over my life that has shaped and moulded it to be as it is today. It has not been by works alone that things have changed, but by His grace that I have seen His hand moving over and over again in my life. And what astounds me is that there is recollection of these moments even prior to salvation. What a good God we serve.
When I look back at how the trajectory of my life has been altered, how can I boast in my own works when I know I could have never done it in my own ability.
And I believe it is our dependence on Him that produces this change. The more we recognise our need for Him, the greater our desire is to be near Him. That’s where the peace that sustains us comes from. It’s not in our own works but our surrender to His will for our lives. It’s in our desperation for Him that His grace shines through.
Because It is by grace that we can endure heartache and difficulties. It is by His grace we can get through and make it to the other side.
And I believe it is the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that gives us the wisdom and understanding to sustain this change. That’s grace. Grace to see what He desires for us to see. Grace to pick up our cross each day and move forward. And the more we recognise that it all comes from Him, the more we can appreciate who He is in our life. It leaves us with a heart that is filled with humility and gratitude for who He is, what He has done, and will do for us in our lives. And when we can recognise that, it gives us more freedom to love others with the grace He has given to us. Because, we remember who we are apart from Him. It all goes back to Him.
At times it is a good reminder for me to ask God to search my heart. And ask the question, can I see the grace I have been given, to then give to those around me? Can I sustain a love for them even when they have done wrong against me? I know in my own life this is a hard thing for me to do. I can become consumed in having a finger pointing mindset. Where I can become frustrated with people about things I have indulged in myself. At times I can be self-righteous, thinking that because I no longer struggle with that particular sin, I am validated for judging them according to their struggle. But maybe they haven’t received the grace of God for that struggle yet? Maybe their eyes have not been opened yet? I was reminded just the other day by someone close to my heart that when you point the finger, you have 3 fingers pointing back at you. And what will you do with the conviction that God pours over you? That’s His grace. So receive it.
So instead I should throw off the spirit of judgment and get down on my knees and pray that the grace of God pours into them so they can draw closer to Him, defeating the sin that easily entangles. It is here that you can find peace. The peace that speaks about God’s timing and the assurance that He will come through.
I needed the grace of God yesterday, today and I will need it tomorrow.
So I pray that you ask for more grace. That you ask for grace over your family. Grace for change. Grace to hear. Grace for the love of Jesus. Grace to have eyes opened to the word of God for salvation and freedom. Because when we receive His grace that’s where the transformation is. Jesus is our grace.
Nadia x
All for His Glory.