To the believers in Rome, Paul wrote:
“those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:17b).
In other words, God has made available to us an abundance of grace that will enable us to transcend our failures and weaknesses.
Understanding Grace
We need to understand that grace is something far more than what most of us have been taught; i.e., an abstract or inherent quality. Rather it is an influx of divine power or divine influence acting upon our heart and manner of life, by the in-working of the Holy Spirit.
American psychiatrist M. Scott Peck (1978) observed the existence of “a powerful force originating outside of human consciousness which nurtures the spiritual growth of human beings.” He suggests it is a common phenomenon, yet many people resist it.
My Experience with Grace
Many years ago I had an experience with God’s grace that left its mark in me. At the time I was very angry with Jerry (for what I no longer remember); actually I was stuck in my anger, not able to let go of it. Suddenly I felt my anger begin to dissipate, but then, I felt myself resisting that. I wanted to stay angry. In that moment, I heard the Lord speak to me: “If you resist my grace now, you will not receive it again.” This got my attention! I knew it was the Lord. I immediately became willing to let go of the anger and allow God’s grace to flow into my heart again. I knew that grace from God was something to be highly valued, even though I didn’t understand it yet.
Since then I have experienced God’s grace many, many times. Slowly, I have learned to treasure it and to rely upon it. When I am stuck in some life-negating attitude, I more quickly cry out, “Lord, I am helpless to get out of this; please send me your grace. I will wait until you send it. Thank You.”
When I need to surrender something to the Lord, I cry out for His grace to come, so I can do it. In other words, I stop fighting whatever situation or negativity I am stuck in—be it laziness, confusion, anger, depression, powerlessness, etc.—and surrender it to the Lord. I put my eyes back on Jesus and rest in Him. This works!
As a youth, I learned in church that God’s grace referred to his unmerited favor. But grace has become something far more than just a theological truth in my life; it is a very real, but invisible, power which affects my heart and my responses to situations in life. It is the power of God flowing into me.
Some ways grace can help you
Grace and Suffering
- 1 Peter 5:10—After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
- Ezra 9:8—But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage.
- Prov 3:34— Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.
Grace and Forgiveness
- Heb 12:15—See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.
Grace and Weakness
- 2 Co. 12:9—He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Grace and Comfort & Hope
- 2 Thes 2:16-17—Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
Grace and Help
- Heb 4:16—Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Grace and Accepting Ourself
- 1 Cor 15:10—But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.
Grace and Victory
- Rom 5:20-21—And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Grace and Spiritual Growth
- Acts 20:32—And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Go to the Throne of Grace
The work of Jesus Christ has opened the doorway for us to go the throne of God’s grace. Thus we can draw near with confidence and find the grace we need to help us—if we humble ourselves.
- Heb 4:16—Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
- 2 Cor 12:9—He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’
Humble Our Self
- James 4:6—But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”
Recognize and Receive It
Grace is readily available, but many believers in Jesus Christ don’t know how to recognize it or receive it. The writer of Hebrews warns us not to come short of God’s grace, lest a root of bitterness takes root in our hearts. We are encouraged to let our hearts be strengthened with grace, rather than be occupied with food.
Therefore, gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation (uncovering) of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13).