IT IS BY GOD’S GRACE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY APRIL 13, 2021.

SUBJECT : IT IS BY GOD’S GRACE! 

Memory verse: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2 vs 10.) 

READ: Ephesians 2 vs 8 - 10:

2:8: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourself; it is the gift of God,

2:9: not of works, lest anyone should boast.

2:10: For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

INTIMATION:

The plan of salvation was initiated by God without any meritoriously devised good works of man or perfect keeping of the law. Because man could not live in a manner to save themselves, salvation had to be by grace in conjunction with man’s faith response. God extended grace to man regardless of the sin of man. In this way, therefore, grace is a gift. The condition upon which the grace of God is made effective for the salvation of man is that one must receive or accept the free gift, that is, it is conditioned on the response of man.    

Life is brought into existence and designed by God to be lived by His grace and purpose. The same way we are saved by grace through obedient faith, is the way we must live our daily lives in accord with His predetermined purpose. The same principles we apply to receive salvation we must apply to receive other blessings that come from God. We neither make or save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. We, therefore, get so frustrated when we are trying to live by works—our human efforts—amidst our emphasis on faith as Christians and wanting to lead our lives according to His precepts.

Even our faith is by the grace of God. If our life is by choice or our works, many will not be where they are today. They would have chosen, or worked for the places, positions, and races considered the best on earth.  Obviously it is all about His doing. He works out everything from the beginning, and all we do is do those good works which He planned beforehand for us and taking the paths which He prepared ahead of time for us to walk in. 

Hence the Scripture says, "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do according to His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2 vs13.) It is only by the grace of God that we walk in those predetermined paths for us. The child Jesus grew up to achieve all He did through the grace of God that was upon Him (Luke 2 vs 40), The apostle Paul, in several verses in his epistle emphasized on the working of the grace of God, even in his life. He said, "For by the grace of God I am what I am; and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (First Corinthians 15 vs 10) 

It is all about the grace of God and not by works—our human or natural ability. Let me give you a practical tip on how grace can be of benefit in your everyday life. When you get into a situation that begins to cause you to become frustrated, just stop and say, "O Lord, give me the grace to overcome this challenge." Then believe that God has heard your prayers and is answering that prayer and working out that situation, even as you go about your daily routine. Remember you have to believe because "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." (Mark 9 vs 23) and "If you believe, you will see the glory of God." (John 11 vs 40).

Prayer: Abba Father, without You I can do nothing. Thank You for Your grace available to me to do all things through Christ that strengthens me. May I never miss Your grace in my daily living, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!