We all need grace from time to time. Life has plenty of pressure points, missteps, and opportunities to make mistakes; without God’s help, none of us could make it through the day. His grace isn’t just a nice idea, but the power working in us that teaches us how to live. Not only does it remind us of God’s love, but it also instructs us in righteousness.
Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, enabling us to live soberly and righteously. On a practical level, it shows up for everybody to make salvation available to all while also training us to turn away from our old habits and embrace a life that reflects God’s goodness. It’s a powerful force that can’t be underestimated; the goodness of God leads a person to repent and change their way of thinking.
Looking at Jesus through Scripture shows us grace in action, full and overflowing with truth. We see shadows and types of Him in the Old Testament when Melchizedek showed up to give Abram victory in battle. He came close to us, lived among us, and revealed exactly what God’s heart is like. As we walk with Him, we grow in confidence, knowing that His grace is sufficient for every situation we face.
After being trained by grace, Paul became free from his past and was empowered to successfully move forward in his new life. This was why he could truthfully say he hadn’t wronged or defrauded anyone. This applies to us as well. Regardless of how often we mess up and miss the mark, God is always willing to give us another chance.
To succeed, the world says to try harder, but the world has no concept of God’s undeserved, unearned, unmerited favor. The temptation to fall into striving will always be there, but we don’t have to cave in to it. God has flipped the switch. Accepting what He did through Christ lets us experience success differently—through dependence on Him, not self-effort.
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your grace that teaches and sustains us. We trust You completely and depend on You, no matter what happens in our lives. In Jesus’name, amen.
Scriptures:
Titus 2:12
Romans 2:4
John 1:14
Genesis 14:20, NLT
2 Corinthians 12:9
2 Corinthians 7:2