Grace

For by grace you are saved… Ephesians 2:8

I am what I am by the grace of God… I Cor. 15:10

Whatever we have or whatever we do, it is from and by the grace of God.

What is grace? Grace is God giving to us what He demands of us. It is God being who He is and allowing us to meet up to the standard of His character by freely giving us the ability to do so from His character.

Most believers understand that they are forgiven and going to heaven because of the grace of God in Christ. They understand that Jesus died for their sins as a perfect sacrifice that has forever set us free from condemnation. There is tremendous power released into our lives when we see the grace of God in Christ as our grace. It truly is amazing grace.

Most believers do not seem to understand clearly that the ability to live the Christian life is also the fruit of grace. The ability to live the Christian is given to us in Christ and through Christ. Jesus said in John 15, “without Me you can do nothing.” Why? Because the ability to live the Christian life is given to us. That ability is in you right now.

Any attempt to produce or sustain the Christian life by works is as foolish as trying to work your way to heaven. The entire Christian experience is produced and sustained by the perfect presence of Jesus in us moment by moment.

Stop right now and grow very still. Do you know your sins are forgiven? Do you know you are going to heaven? That voice that says “yes” is the voice of grace and it can be believed because of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. That voice that affirms your eternal forgiveness and destiny is the Spirit of Christ affirming your new standing before God.

Grow even more quiet. Answer this question. Do you have the entire Christian life living in you right now? That “yes” you heard is the voice of the Spirit of Christ affirming His perfect presence in you. “Jesus is all and is in all.” Colossians 3:11 That is grace. That is the grace of God giving you the ability to live the Christian life.

If you did not hear a “yes” then you may be trying to produce or sustain the Christian life as your offering to God. It is not yours to offer. It is yours to receive by grace.

To work for what can only be received as a gift is to fall from grace.

Don’t fall from grace.

Abide in grace right now and the fruit of grace will appear.