July  2006

Grace in Which We Stand

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times,
having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8

"In him (Jesus Christ) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." Ephesians 1:7

"For it is by grace you have been saved" Ephesians 2:8
 

I have read at one time that "Grace is something which God gives us when we really don't deserve it". For example, a happy life, good health are all God's Grace. Sometimes people confuse Grace with Mercy. On the other hand, we obtain Mercy when "God Does Not give us what we deserve". For example, even though the Bible says that the wages of sin is death, when we accept Jesus as our personal savior he pardons us from that punishment - He shows His mercy to us even though we really deserved death.

Let me emphasize more on the Grace of God here. How many times have we paused for a moment and counted the number of times we breathe in and breathe out in a minute? How many times have we considered it a privilege when we wake up healthy in the morning after hours of sleeping thru the previous night? I would say that, if not all, most of the time we take these for granted. Have you ever thought about the fact that when you were sleeping thru those wee hours of the night, even though you have lost control of the surroundings, when you really didn't know what's happening around you, still there was someone who was still in control and was watching over you and keeping you safe thru the next morning till you woke up? Yes, my friend, many times we think that that's just the daily routine. But this is what I mean by God's grace.

In some parts of the world, innocent people, little happy children, new-born infants also went to sleep as usual as we do. But the next morning they were gone from this earth due to a bomb which exploded on them during the previous night. In another place, a man promised his wife and kids that after coming back from work, he would take them out for dinner ... but unfortunately someone literally flew the plane into his building and blew up the whole building in which this man was working. My friend, I'm not reminding of these incidents to scare you. But we all need to know that every second of our life is the hands of our Creator God. We need to acknowledge the fact that it is only by His Grace that we are what we are.

There's yet another perspective in which we need to see this Grace of God. The Bible says that you and I are put in this world by God's divine plan. But it also says that even though we are IN this world, we should not be OF this world. Meaning, we have to strive to live up to the standards which God created us for. But many a time we do fall due to our sinful nature. The Bible says, that a child of God (who accepts Jesus Christ as his Personal Savior), even though he falls, he will rise up. Though this does not give us permission to keep falling, the fact of the matter is that God's Grace lifts us up when we miss the mark and slip and fall while walking in this world. This is what the Apostle Paul indicates clearly by saying in Romans chapter 5 verses 1 and 2 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.".

It is only by the Grace of God that we are alive and well even this minute of the day. It is by His Grace that we can know the right from wrong and strive to walk in His ways. It is by His Grace that we breathe in and breathe out. It is by His Grace that you woke up this morning hail and healthy. It is by His Grace that you were safe all thru the day while you were out at work or at school, and you came back home safe.

My friend, let's pause for a moment and thank this Jesus who showers His abounding grace on us due to His extravagant love which He has for you and for me. By His extravagant grace, He lifts us when we fall, He answers us when we call. May the Lord Jesus Christ help you experience more grace upon grace every day of your life as you strive to live for Him.

Have a blessed day !!!

Your friend,
Eshcol