God’s Grace Is Sufficient in your life

What is God’s Grace? It’s a gift that was freely given to us when Jesus died on the cross for a fallen humanity. 

We can’t buy it, earn it, beg for it, and sometimes it’s when you’re at a very difficult point in your life, that you realize how much you need it. 

Grace is embodied in God himself as John declared 

“He Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,  who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

The word “Grace” is commonly used in churches and Christendom but if you ask many to define it; it becomes a bit of a challenge. Let’s look into this some more:

God’s Grace is Freedom 

In the old testament; the children of Israel had to work hard to fulfill the law of Moses and they failed all the time. 

They had to perform rituals for their sins and the priest had to make sacrifices on their behalf. 

Although they knew what they shouldn’t do, it was so hard to keep the law because they were doing it all by themselves. 

Today, because of Jesus’ sacrifice we no longer live under the law. We are no longer slaves to sin but we can overcome sin by grace.

 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

(Galatians 5:1)

God’s Grace is Sufficient

All that you need to accomplish the will of God has been given to you through grace. 

Grace is also that ongoing support in the daily activities of life that leads you to growth and true maturity in Christ. 

Paul expressed how he was given a thorn in the flesh and no matter how he tried to overcome it, it was a daily hindrance. 

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

There is no situation, no fear, no hindrance, no challenge that you can’t triumph over because you’ve already been given grace; the power to succeed.

God’s Grace is Acceptance

Because grace cannot be earned but it’s unconditional love that is freely given; you don’t need to do anything to be accepted by God. He accepts you just the way you are. 

Many of us believe that if we attend church regularly, give our tithes, help the poor, etc we are earning points in the sight of God. 

You are no better or highly esteemed than that sister who struggles with fornication; her spiritual priorities are a mess or gives her tithes sparingly.

For God does not show favoritism. (Romans 2:11)

God meets us at the level we are at and strengthens us to grow and become stronger in him. 

Grace covers for us, understands our limitations, is patient in our weaknesses, and gets us to holiness and righteousness.

God’s Grace is forgiveness 

We have been forgiven of our sins by the grace of God.  He will never remember or remind you of what you did in your past. 

For example, grace was extended to the woman caught in the act of adultery. (John 8:3-11)

Grace was also extended to the thief on the cross. (Luke 23:43)

At some point, we are going to mess up and deserve to be punished but grace will show up for us because Christ loves us.

In the same way, we have to extend the same forgiveness to others because we were forgiven.  

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

What Grace is Not

Grace Is Not An Excuse To Sin

“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!” (Romans 6:15)

Grace is not an excuse to sin and to disregard the penalties of sin. 

Grace gives us free access through the blood of Jesus to receive forgiveness when we sin but it’s not something to be abused.  

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh rather, serve one another humbly in love (Galatians 5: 13)

Grace Is Not a Pass For Spiritual Laziness

Serving God faithfully is hard work. It requires a continuous dying to the flesh, dedication, loyalty, resisting temptation and the list goes on. 

While Jesus is there to help us, we too must want to be helped and also position ourselves to receive the help that grace gives.

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest  and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man  (Proverbs 6:9-11)

It takes a lot of work on our part to keep steady on the narrow path.  If we are spiritually lazy, we could lose sight and end up walking the wrong way.  

This is something that could happen subtly and before we know it we are completely out of alignment. 

Difference Between Grace and Mercy

The Greek word for mercy “eleos” means pity and compassion and for grace, it’s “charis” meaning favor. 

Mercy is knowing someone is guilty and deserving of punishment but the choice is made not to treat them according to their wrong.

because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13)

However, grace is generous love and blessings extended regardless of who they are and what they’ve done. 

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6)

Difference Between Grace and Favor

We’ve all used favor and grace interchangeably before only because they are one in the same and from the same coin called love. 

Grace is God giving us something we do not deserve while favor is God’s tangible expression of love.  

When we seek God we receive His favor.  

For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord (Proverbs 8:35)

We receive God’s favor once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. 

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” (Psalm 84: 11)