Grace be with you.
Summary: Once again Paul packs a lot into a few words. Understanding God’s grace requires that we understand the penalty for sin that hangs over our heads.
Paul’s parting words are simple: “Grace be with you.”
It sounds nice, but … what does it mean?
There are different kinds of grace, depending on whose grace you are talking about. Grace from me, for example, might be different than grace from you.
Some grace is worth more than others, too.
For example, if you return an overdue book to the library and the librarian says, “I’ll let it go this time but don’t let it happen again.” In that case, the “grace” is worth about thirty-five cents.
When we talk about God’s grace, we are talking about the real deal.
God, of course, is the owner of everything (Psalm 50:12). He also happens to be the Creator of everything (Genesis 1:1). As Creator and owner of everything, God happens to have authority over everything, too.
When Adam and Eve sinned, they incurred a penalty. It wasn’t a penalty like a traffic ticket where you mail in the fifteen-dollar fine, and you are good to go. The penalty they incurred was a death sentence (Genesis 2:17).
This gets a bit confusing because there are two kinds of death. One is physical, and the other is spiritual. Spiritual death is being separated from God (Luke 15: 24,32). Physical death is when the body stops working.
God could have written us off when Adam and Eve sinned, but he didn’t. He did two things that he didn’t have to do. One was putting a plan in place to redeem us from spiritual death (Genesis 3:15). The other was showing concern for Adam and Eve even though they had rebelled and disobeyed (Genesis 3:21).
Instead of giving Adam and Eve what they deserved, God graciously allowed them to live in the world he had made and clothed them with animal skins.
But what about now?
What about the post-crucifixion world?
What about the person who has accepted Jesus’ gift of salvation?
Unfortunately, the curse of sin is still at work in the flesh (Romans 7: 7-25). If we could choose to leave the flesh behind when we choose to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, life would be good. There would be no more sin. However, we continue to do things that merit death by breaking God’s Law.
The only thing that keeps us from the fire of hell is God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8).
Grace be with you.
Application: Thank God for his grace!
Food for Thought: How does living in God’s grace change our lives?
How does living in God’s grace change our lives?
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:23
Our salvation is not earned through works but received by faith, reinforcing the unmerited nature of grace. God’s grace means our sins are forgiven when we seek His mercy, His cleansing, and gives each a fresh start. His assurance brings peace into our hearts no matter what the circumstances we experience.
A dying thief on the cross recognizes the divinity of Jesus and Jesus promises him paradise, demonstrating Gods grace exists even at life’s end. Luke 23:39-43,
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
God’s grace is given without conditions. We receive this regardless of our actions or past, as His love calls us into a deeper relationship with Him. God’s grace transforms believers by renewing our hearts and minds, leading us to experience personal growth, healing, and a deeper connection with God who gives assurance of our salvation through Faith.
His grace is the power given to each to overcome adversities and
challenges. With His divine assistance, we can face life’s trials and grow stronger in our faith which is renewed through His grace. Embracing grace empowers each to face life’s challenges, encourages acts of service, increases gratitude, and fosters positive relationships with others.
Thank you, Ron!
God’s grace is amazing!! 🙂
How does living in God’s grace change our lives?
We are given a life where we can walk with our Creator, One who understands us, and does not leave us to perish, but draws us close to Him as we draw close to Him. We live in confidence that we can be pleasing to God when we seek his presence, guidance, and live as He intends for us to live.
Hebrews 4:15-16 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
We are free from the enslavement of sin, and the death that sin brings with it. The closer we are to Him, we more than we recognize sin in our lives, and He strengthens us to turn from sin. He quickens our resolve when we choose to turn from sin. Although we have already sinned, and deserve death, His grace gives us the time and space to understand the full magnitude and consequence of our sin, and the freedom to choose Him or our own desires. Personally, when I have those moments of clarity, I feel gratitude for the grace that God has provided through Christ. The result becomes greater obedience rather than condemnation.
Romans 6:14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Very good CH. Thank you.
Thank you, Chris!
I appreciate the way you say this:
“Although we have already sinned, and deserve death, His grace gives us the time and space to understand the full magnitude and consequence of our sin“
Thanks for the excellent devotion brother. And excellent verse references and comments R2T2.
I depend of His grace moment by moment. It gives me freedom and release from the fear of death and judgment. Without His grace I would have no hope. This grace also motivates me to live for Him and pursue a life that is pleasing to Him.
Galatians 2: 20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Thank you, Rich!
You are generous with your grace, too! 🙂
I guess that is a reflection of the grace we experience from our Father in heaven.