Under-applied grace
I was reviewing a few of my early posts to this blog, when there were very few people following or reading. I have decided to occasionally re-post one of those posts and offer them for your encouragement. Here's a reminder about God's grace that was a lift to my spirit this morning. Hopefully it will be to yours as well.
I read a statement a while back that struck me. Patrick Morley was commenting on Paul's words in Ephesians 4:1; "I...urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called." Pat's emphasis was that God gives us sufficient grace to live this worthy life. Then he made this statement: "Most Christians under-apply their grace."
While I'd like to think that it's not applicable to me :-), I really like that phrase. I wonder if it resonates with you. We sometimes keep our gratitude for grace reserved for our salvation experience. That's certainly worth focusing on. If it weren't for God's grace, we would still be hopeless and helpless. He stepped in and brought us to himself, giving us the privilege of being His children and living with him in Heaven forever. He gave us a future and a hope. He gave us purpose for living now.
Although it almost seems hard to imagine God giving us more than that (we already have more than we deserve), grace applies to more than the salvation experience. Do yourself a favor and do a word study on "grace" in the New Testament. Let me give you a couple of quick, off the cuff musings on grace.
Grace comes from an inexhaustible resource. John 1:14-16. Jesus is full of grace and truth and "from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." It just keeps coming. Also see 2 Corinthians 9:8.
Grace keeps sin from dominating me. Romans 6:14. "Sin will have no dominion over you since you are...under grace."
Grace enables me to have a unique role in the body of Christ. Romans 12:6. "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them..."
Grace keeps my perspective straight, allowing me to serve effectively in spite of my weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
There's a lot more, but that's enough to encourage my heart to be faithful today. I hope it is for you as well. Let's not "under-apply" God's grace.
I read a statement a while back that struck me. Patrick Morley was commenting on Paul's words in Ephesians 4:1; "I...urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called." Pat's emphasis was that God gives us sufficient grace to live this worthy life. Then he made this statement: "Most Christians under-apply their grace."
While I'd like to think that it's not applicable to me :-), I really like that phrase. I wonder if it resonates with you. We sometimes keep our gratitude for grace reserved for our salvation experience. That's certainly worth focusing on. If it weren't for God's grace, we would still be hopeless and helpless. He stepped in and brought us to himself, giving us the privilege of being His children and living with him in Heaven forever. He gave us a future and a hope. He gave us purpose for living now.
Although it almost seems hard to imagine God giving us more than that (we already have more than we deserve), grace applies to more than the salvation experience. Do yourself a favor and do a word study on "grace" in the New Testament. Let me give you a couple of quick, off the cuff musings on grace.
Grace comes from an inexhaustible resource. John 1:14-16. Jesus is full of grace and truth and "from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." It just keeps coming. Also see 2 Corinthians 9:8.
Grace keeps sin from dominating me. Romans 6:14. "Sin will have no dominion over you since you are...under grace."
Grace enables me to have a unique role in the body of Christ. Romans 12:6. "Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them..."
Grace keeps my perspective straight, allowing me to serve effectively in spite of my weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
There's a lot more, but that's enough to encourage my heart to be faithful today. I hope it is for you as well. Let's not "under-apply" God's grace.
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