Grace: Valuable or Worthless
II Corinthians 6:1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
The grace of God is the favor of God and should not be taken lightly. This is a plea and a warning to believers. Jesus, who is the atoning sacrifice wrapped in unfailing love came, lived, died and rose again to save us from sin and death. Grace is by no means worthless or void of power. The grace of God leads to salvation and eternal life when Jesus Christ is accepted as Saviour and LORD. Ephesians tells us that it is by grace that we are saved through faith. However, salvation did not cancel our free will to do good or evil. Paul pleads with ministers of the Gospel. Since all who have received a recreated, regenerated born again spirit are ministers of reconciliation, the plea is to you as well. He begged believers to resist the temptation to engage in evil works. He warned that evil engagements violate the work of grace and stifle its power to accomplish what God has intended. That is, that all men would be saved and come into the knowledge of the truth. We are all encouraged to exercise patience and faith in the face of adversity. Where sin is plentiful, God’s grace becomes even more plentiful. God will give us grace in abundance to accomplish every good work. No adverse situation or circumstance can stop you when grace abounds. For your Redeemer is present; He will raise up a standard against every evil work of your adversary. Being concerned about frustrating the grace of God and being barred from receiving its favor and power, Paul disciplined his body and kept it under control, so that after telling everyone about God’s grace that he, himself would not be disqualified from receiving the grace he talked about. Grace is a gift and as such, must not be taken for granted or treated as if it has no value. Exercise your free will to do what is good in the sight of God. You have the grace to do it.
Scripture References: II Corinthians 6:1-10; John 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:8; II Corinthians 5:17-18; James 4:7; I Timothy 2:4; Romans 5:20; II Corinthians 9:8; Galatians 2:21; I Corinthians 9:27ESV
Prayer for today: Father, I thank you for grace. Help me, I pray, to never take your grace for granted by devaluing it. In JESUS name, AMEN.
Whatever you must do today, there is a grace for that. Accept the grace and make it a sweatless day.
Love
Dianne