The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly …
Summary: Grace is an interesting word. It can mean everything or nothing, depending on how we look at it.
Paul’s letters to Timothy are different than his other letters. He writes to Titus in a similar way, but the personal references do not seem as personal as they are with Timothy. He writes to the churches about the same topics, but his letter to Timothy seems to assume a deeper shared understanding of the Gospel.
In our verse for this meditation, Paul slips into a poetic frame of mind when he says, “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly …”
Obviously, grace is not a physical commodity. You cannot buy a jar of “liquid grace,” and there is no way to physically pour grace on anybody. What, then, is Paul thinking of?
Have you ever given grace to yourself?
Have you ever failed at something, been embarrassed, or put your foot in your mouth? Afterward, when you remember that experience, do you ever think, “You did the best you could. You’ll do better next time”?
That is called grace — forgiving yourself for something that you wish you hadn’t done.
God does something similar when he pours out grace on us.
Why do we need God’s grace? Aside from the Scriptural truth that all men have sinned (Romans 3:23), your conscience knows. You and I know very well why we need God’s grace.
Why does Paul need God’s grace? He just told us he was a blasphemer (one who speaks disrespectfully about God), a persecutor of God’s people, and a man of violence in the presence of a loving God. He deserves eternal exile from God’s presence, and he knows it.
Instead, what did he get?
Jesus Christ poured his blood out as a sacrifice for sin (Mark 14:24). This is grace.
God set Paul apart for his work among men. This is sometimes called an “anointing.” In the Old Testament days, oil would have been poured on his head as a sign (Psalm 133:2). This, too, is grace.
God saves us by his Holy Spirit, pouring his Spirit out on all believers (Titus 3:5-6, Joel 2:28, Acts 2:17). This, also, is an outpouring of grace.
Finally, God provided for Paul, “more than enough” (Philippians 4:18). Like David, his cup overflows (Psalm 23:5).
Thankfully, God’s grace extends to you and me as well (Romans 5:15).
Application: Thank God!
Food for Thought: How do we keep from taking God’s grace for granted?
One way not to take His grace for granted is to repent of our sin by realizing it has a serious consequences for our relationship with God. We don’t just become ok with our sin because we know God is a God of grace.
Romans 2: 4 – 5: Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? 5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.
I realize the larger context of this passage is part of the gospel for those yet to place their faith in Christ. But there is certainly a principle there for us to not take His grace lightly.
Rich,
Thank you for pointing us to Paul’s words in his letter to the church at Rome. Paul didn’t mince words! 🙂
I, but more importantly the Scriptures, agree with R. If one stops reading Romans at the end of chapter 5, one will miss the full intent of grace. Romans 6 is undoubtedly for the believer.
Hi JEC!
Thank you for joining us today!
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
I appreciate the encouragement to keep reading!
There was a time, in my immaturity as a believer, that I misunderstood God’s grace as simply “a ticket to heaven.” Now I know that is a gross misrepresentation of the cleansing, redeeming, and transforming power of God through Christ that is made possible by His grace. We often say that we “make Christ Lord of our life” but in reality, He is Lord regardless, it is a matter of whether we submit to Him. The gratitude that comes with submission is in the evidence of the life that He gives us. “I used to be, but now I am” is only made possible by His hand, though His Holy Spirit. It is God’s grace working in our life. We are no longer slaves to sin. Whether it be when we are tempted and the Holy Spirit reminds us “this is not for you” or we fail and Christ offers us repentance and renewal, sin holds no dominion over us. In rejecting our sinful nature we focus on the love of God by His grace through Christ, and we do not take His grace for granted. Our gratitude for grace is evidenced in our desire to become more like Christ.
Romans 6:11-14
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
Thank you, Chris!
Beautifully said!
Great meditation and comments today!
How do we keep from taking God’s grace for granted?
Ephesians 2:8-9, For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
1 Corinthians 15:10, But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
The grace of our Lord has been poured out on me…….abundantly.
As a young in the Lord, growing believer, I was one day, studying my bible, about the Gifts of God. As I recall my mind began to wander. I began to think of how far I had come. In mind, my efforts to grow in Christ had born much fruit. I was certain God must be very pleased with all I had done, and had was preparing a very special place for me.
As my image of self grew, my environment very slowly darkened, as our God ( as He has often done ) prepared me for a very brief meeting during which He opened my hearts eyes to exactly who and what I was. Everything I had hidden away flashed before my minds eyes. It was the most frightening, moment of my life.
I realized the life I lived was His work not mine and I deserved death not praise. God knew this and the reason I continued to live was not because of my works, but because of His love for something in me. His works through us are the results of His light in our lives. We are His Workmanship, remaining on earth for His Purposes, and will in His time be called home to continue life in His service according to His will over our own.
Always remember who we are as we serve our creator/sustainer God!
Wow, Ron.
I am so glad you had the opportunity to share this story. Very powerful, and yes — I can relate!