God is doing a great work in our days in the area of illuminating our understanding of grace. Perhaps more than any time since 1779, when former slave ship captain John Newton penned the words, “Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me…,“ – people are asking the question, “what is grace?” and “what does it mean to me?” Let’s take a look at a few of the ways grace changes our lives.
SAVED BY GRACE
One of the most powerful scriptures in the Bible says, “For by graced you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
God by a shear act of His will – and not because of anything we did – chose to reconcile us unto Himself. When Jesus died on the cross, it was for every single one of us. His act of grace (favor that we did not earn) ALL men instantly had access to salvation. “Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.” (Romans 5:18)
The through faith part means that we believe and accept God’s great gift. If you have believed and accepted, it’s a done deal.
JUSTIFIED BY GRACE
Titus 3:7 tells us that we have been justified by faith. Justification does not change the fact that we are guilty of sin, rather it provides a way out of punishment. Jesus paid the fine through His death on the cross. That is one of the most compelling reasons our life now should be lived for Him.
EMPOWERED BY GRACE
One of the least understood qualities of Grace is that it empowers us to live lives free from sin. Though temptation still comes, our new nature in Christ is no longer compelled to give in. The Apostle Paul is clear, grace empowers us to be free from the control of sin. (Romans 6:14)
CALLED BY GRACE
Whatever it is that God has called us to do, whether it be Pastor, Policeman, Mom, Dad, etc., we are told to do it with all our might as unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:23). The problem is that while we know we were saved by grace, we forget that we are also empowered and kept by grace. When we try to do God’s work in our human power, it always falls woefully short. Let’s not forget that God did not go through everything He did to get us saved only to leave us to fend for ourselves after the altar call. If the Spirit of God truly lives inside us, we should let Him loose to finish the good work He started in us.