God Works In Us by His Grace!

"I do not at all understand the mystery of grace - only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us."   -Anne Lamott, American novelist and non-fiction writer.

 I think you'd agree with me when I say that grace is a mystery. In fact, after studying the first two chapters of the Book of Ephesians, the mystery of grace has only deepened for me. As I sit here thinking about what I have learned about grace from this book so far, I am totally amazed at God’s great work of grace for His people.

Let me share a few considerations which I've discovered about God’s grace:

• Grace chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world – Ephesians 1:4

• Grace has given us all spiritual blessings through Jesus – Ephesian 1:3

• Grace has determined that we will be like Jesus, and with Jesus, one day – Ephesians 1:5; 11-12

• Grace has made us accepted in Jesus – Ephesians 1:6

• Grace proved the blood of Christ that washed us from our sins – Ephesians 1:7

• Grace reached out to us when we were dead in our sins and headed to Hell – Ephesians 2:1-4

• Grace loved us – Ephesians 2:4

• Grace gave us life – Ephesians 2:5

• Grace has secured our future – Ephesians 2:6-7

• Grace has secured our salvation – Ephesians 2:8-9

These points tell me that, everything we possess as believers is ours through, and by, the grace of God. Furthermore, we earned nothing we have received. We deserved nothing we have received. We purchased nothing we have received. Everything we have in Jesus Christ has been given to us by the free grace of Almighty God.

And, do you know what the added bonus for us is? God has given us the gifts of His grace without asking for a single thing in return! That's right. He doesn't expect us repay Him for grace. While God doesn't expect any return payments from us; He does expect a return on His investment. The work of grace in us results in some very real changes in our lives. These changes allow us to live for God. Our living for Him, according to His will, brings glory to His name, and that is all He wants from us!

When grace comes to a lost, dead sinner, that sinner is born again as a “new creature” in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old appetites and ways of living are put aside for a brand new life in Jesus. What God works in us by His grace, will work its way out in our lives. Not only are we saved by His grace; we are changed by that same grace. As the grace of God works itself out in our lives, it manifests itself in us through our works.

Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it very clear that works have no part in our salvation. We're not saved by what we do or by what we produce. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone! But, the proof that God’s grace has worked in us to save us is our works after we are saved. Martin Luther said, “We are saved by faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone.”

In other words, works do not save us, but we are saved to work. James 2:18 says it this way, “But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” James is reminding us that while faith brings us into God’s salvation (Acts 16:31), our works prove the reality of our profession of faith.

Dear readers, find the path God has laid out for your life and walk in it for His glory! Unquestionably, a legitimate faith will always manifest itself in good works. If works are missing, so is saving faith (James 1:17-26).

Scripture: Acts 6:8; Acts 4:33; Acts 20:32; 2 Timothy 2:1-2; Romans 11:6; John 15:16; John 10:9

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the love you give me. Help me share your love with others, as well. Amen

May God bless you!

Amaris