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).
Grace is the heart and soul of the Gospel message. It is good news...amazing news, as the song so eloquently portrays. But, sadly, in many circles it's a word that has been watered down, or has been relegated as one among many on a long list of theological concepts.
But that's not the case for the writers of the New Testament. To them, grace was everything. Take Paul for example. When he met Jesus grace took center stage in his life. Nothing else mattered. From that point forward, he lived to tell others of this good news.
Grace was not just a word to him. Paul saw grace as God’s act in Christ Jesus that:
- Made him spiritually alive. (Ephesians 2:1-10)
- Redeemed him and forgave his sins. (Ephesians 1:7)
- Justified him and made him right with God. (Romans 3:24)
- Made him a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Corinthians 15:10)
- Was sufficient for him in all circumstances. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
- Produced fruit in his life. (Colossians 1:6)
- Taught him to say "no" to sin and to live a righteous, upright life. (Titus 2:11-13)
This is what grace has accomplished in your life as well. As you can see it is truly amazing.
That same grace is available to you today, and it is bound up in the person of Christ Jesus. He is the One who is full of grace and truth. Take a fresh look at Jesus and the work he accomplished through his death burial and resurrection. In him, you will see the fullness of the grace of God. It is the key to embracing your freedom in Christ.
In Him,
Bob Christopher