Someone reminded me recently how much I love grace! And how it has always been my deepest desire to live and speak grace into the lives of others.
“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.” [Ephesians 1:5-7 NLT]
God poured out His grace upon us and made us His sons and daughters through the sacrifice of His son. He forgave our sins, setting us free from all guilt and shame.
But Grace is not just what came to us initially, it is a constant source of strength. Paul wrote: “But by God’s grace I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not ineffective. However, I worked more than any of them, yet not I, but God’s grace that was with me.” [1Corinthians 15:10 HCSB]
There is nothing in me that can do anything for God apart from His effective grace that works within me. I brought nothing into this relationship except my rebellion and sin. I was impoverished with nothing to offer except an empty vessel for Him to fill and work through. Then His grace flooded my soul. And continues to flood my soul.
That old song, “A Sinner Saved by Grace,” defines my life. Now I can boldly proclaim that because of His grace, “I am what I am” – a Child of God! A Daughter of the King of Glory.
