Grace

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope” (Titus 2:11-13)

God has given us the grace to run this race of faith. What is God’s grace? Well, Oswald Chambers defines grace as a divine miracle of forgiveness! He goes on to say that we measure our growth in grace by our sensitiveness to sin. So, by his definition, grace is the miracle of forgiveness that deepens our relationship with Christ and sensitiveness to sin. Friends, God’s grace is captivating. It seeks us out, covers our sins, and transforms us into the image of Christ. No wonder the Good Book says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

Grace is a transformative gift, but how does it transform us? When we believe that Jesus is our Savior and Lord, we receive the Holy Spirit. The Spirit teaches us how to receive God’s grace daily. The Spirit teaches us how to say no to “ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live a self-controlled, upright and godly” life. This is a process, and it takes time. We may still struggle with passions and thoughts from our old lives but take courage because the struggle reveals God’s grace working in you to manifest the character of Christ! My encouragement to you and me is simply to relax in God’s grace and be attentive to the Spirits leading and teaching! God’s grace is shaping you to be more and more like His Son. It is God’s grace that enables us to do God’s will. God’s grace requires acceptance and participation! Like a body in water, relax. Relax in the arms of Christ and trust His saving grace as it transforms and instructs you to live a godly life.   

Run the race of faith with grace, friends!