A people of grace

Austen C. Ukachi. Photo: HEISALIVEBLOG<br />

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