A people of grace
Austen C. Ukachi. Photo: HEISALIVEBLOG<br />
No other way can best describe Christianity than to say that it is a people of grace. This means that what we are now and what we would be in the future is owed to the grace of God. We are nothing on our own, except for God’s grace. Peter said: “who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (I Peter 2:10 NKJV). The gospel is all about God’s grace through Jesus Christ. That’s why Paul calls it “the gospel of the grace of God” Acts 20:24) and “the word of his grace” Acts 14:3).
Consider how much we owe to the grace of God from these statements by Paul. We are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are loved by God unconditionally, due to the grace that is in Christ Jesus “(Romans 8:35-39 NKJV).
By grace, we are made partakers of the life and blessings that are in Jesus “And of His fullness, we have all received, and grace for grace.” (John 1:16 NKJV). His grace teaches us to shun ungodliness and to live humbly and righteously (Titus 2:11-12 NKJV).
We are sustained by the power of his saving grace (I Peter 1:5 NKJV).
The place of grace in our lives is summarised by Justin Holcomb thus: “Grace is the basis for:
• Our Christian identity: “By the grace of God I am what I am.” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
• Our standing before God: “this grace in which we stand.” (Romans 5:2).
• Our behaviour: “We behaved in the world … by the grace of God.” (2 Corinthians 2:12)
• Our living: those who receive “the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ,” (Romans 5:17) by the “grace of life.” (1 Peter 1:7)
• Our holiness: God called us to a holy calling … because of his own purpose and grace.” (2 Timothy 2:9)
• Our strength for living: “Be strengthened by the grace that is in Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:1) for “it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace.” (Hebrews 13:9)
• Our way of speaking: “Let your speech always be gracious.” (Colossians 4:6)
• Our serving: “serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 1:10)
• Our sufficiency: “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 2:9) “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 2:8)
• Our response to difficulty and suffering: We get “grace to help in time of need,” (Hebrews 4:16) and when “you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace…will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 1:10)
• Our participation in God’s mission: As recipients of grace we are privileged to serve as agents of grace. Believers receive grace (Acts 11:23), are encouraged to continue in grace (Acts 13:43), and are called to testify to the grace of God (Acts 20:24). Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). God’s mission is to the entire world.
• Our future: God, and his grace, is everlasting. “Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:13)
• Our hope beyond death: “grace [reigns] through righteousness, leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:21)”
Contact: pastoracukachi@gmail.com
