Living Grace Day by Day

We Selected scripture for meditation: 2 Corinthians 12:9 …But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

‘Grace’ is a term which is very closely related to our Christian life. When somebody asks “Hello, how are you?”, the usual answer is, “by the grace of God I am fine.” Grace is a word which can be somewhat difficult to define, but one of the most familiar definitions is “God’s unmerited favour.” People of faith lived by the grace of God, continued and completed their ministry by the grace of God. Apostle Paul frequently used this word in his writing. Particularly, in this scripture portion, he explains the experience of grace that he has received. “My grace is sufficient for you - What Paul prayed for was refused, but what he received instead was of far greater value. Paul desired the natural thorn to be removed, but instead was given supernatural grace.” 

Corrie Ten Boom spoke to this ever-present potential when she wrote...”Look at self and be distressed, Look at others and be depressed, Look at Jesus and you’ll be at rest!”

Our God, the Father extended His grace to humankind through His Son Jesus Christ. Grace is “that which God does for mankind through His Son, which mankind cannot earn, does not deserve, and will never merit.” Grace is all that God freely and non-meritoriously does for man and is free to do for man on the basis of Christ’s person and work on the cross. We were able to accept Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour because of the grace of God. It is said that “Grace is God’s unmerited help for one undeserving with no thought to give reward. Grace is not some static concept but is a dynamic force, which totally transforms the believer’s life beginning with salvation (Acts 15:11), continuing in our sanctification (2 Peter 3:18) - where grace “instructs” us in our daily walk of godliness, and then all through eternity in our glorification (1Peter 1:13).” In this way ‘grace’ enables us to lead a victorious Christian life.

It also supports us to endure without grumbling or complaining, and enables our weakness or suffering to be used for God’s glory. When a Christian turns away from living by God’s grace, he or she must depend on their own power and this invariably leads to failure and disappointment. Where ever we experiences sufficient grace there is no possibility to go away from God. Even then somebody going back to worldly pleasures it is because of their sin. There will be punishment for the same. Fundamentally, we need to understand that grace is a supernatural experience with responsibility. 

When we are able to recognize our God as a “God of all grace” (1Peter 5:10) it gives us more joy in our life. His children have the freedom to approach His “throne of grace” (He 4:16). His Word is “the word of His grace” (Acts 20:32). And how appropriate that in the very last verse of the Bible John writes “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:21). “Grace is God’s supernatural provision for our every need when we need it. God in His grace gives us what we do not deserve, and in His mercy He does not give us what we do deserve.”

Theologically, grace is distinct to Christianity for no other world religion has such a supernatural enablement. One of the unique features of Gospel is that every believer has “received...grace upon grace” through our Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:16). It happened because “grace and truth were realized through” (John 1:17) them. And so from the very beginning of the birth of the Church in Acts we see that “abundant grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33). It is true that the early members of the church stand firm in their faith because of the abundant grace that God has showered upon them. In the epistles Paul wrote of the “grace in which we stand” (Romans 5:2). Peter described the “manifold grace of God” (1Peter 4:10) which is sufficient for “multicoloured” trials (1Peter 1:6). In short, God always provides the sufficient grace for every trial. Thus it is little wonder that Paul characterized this amazing grace as the “surpassing grace of God in [believers]” (2 Corinthians 9:14), God gives enough grace for each trial we face. It is true that we are celebrating a life with full of grace because of the Holy Spirit. Calvin supports this by saying that “the term grace, here, does not mean, as it does elsewhere, the favor of God, but by metonymy, the aid of the Holy Spirit, Who comes to us from the unmerited favor of God; and He ought to be sufficient for the pious.”

Grace consist some responsibilities too. How we can lead a life by the grace of God?  What are our responsibilities every day when we lead a life by grace of God? The answer is clear in Ephesians 5:15-20.

1. We need to understand the will of God (v.17). Jesus said to His disciples, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord. Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).

2. By being filled with the Spirit (vv.18-21). Apostle Paul says, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). Spiritual life will be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit is a helper who helps the believer to experience the empowering grace.

3. By leading a meaningful life of worship (v.19). True worship is a sacrifice of our body before the presence of God. As Paul said, “…to offer your bodies as living sacrifices …this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2).

4. Lead a life true to the word of God (v.19). Having this thought in mind, Paul emphasizes very clear about his standpoint by saying, “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the Word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God (II Corinthians 2:17). Reading, meditating and following the Word of God ultimately will help us lead a life of grace.

5. Give thanks to God the Father (v.20). The ultimate purpose of our life is to glorify our Heavenly Father through our life. Jesus gives us a model for this when He said to Father, “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do” (John. 17:4).

6. Live a life in the presence of Lord Jesus (v. 21). A true and meaningful Christian life attaining its growth in the presence of Jesus Christ.

7. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (v. 21). Finally, we need to accept each other out of reverence for Christ.

Illusration: The story of the Christian martyr Thomas Hauker (England, 1555) shows the sufficiency of the grace of God in our hour of need. Thomas Hauker, was a bright, well-favoured, good-looking, young gentleman, who would not deny his personal relationship with Christ.

For this he was sentenced to being burned at the stake. “Thomas”, his friend lowered his voice so as not to be heard by the guard. “I have to ask you a favor. I need to know if what the others say about the grace of God is true. Tomorrow, when they burn you at the stake, if the pain is tolerable and your mind is still at peace, lift your hands above your head. Do it right before you die.

Thomas, I have to know.”

Thomas Hauker whispered to his friend, “I will.” On the day of execution, the crowd was abuzz with Thomas’s promise. As he was chained to the stake, he spoke quietly and with great grace to the men who laid the wood.

Then he closed his eyes and the fire was kindled. Thomas continued to preach to those around him, but soon, for the roar of the flames, he could not. The fire burned a long time, but Hauker remained motionless. His skin was burnt to a crisp and his fingers were gone. Everyone watching supposed he was dead. Suddenly, miraculously, Hauker lifted his hands, still on fire, over his head. He reached them up to the living God and then, with great rejoicing, clapped them together three times. The people there broke into shouts of praise and clapping. Hauker’s friend had his answer.

Yes, the grace of God is sufficient for us. Dear youngsters, does the story of this godly martyr not convict us? How often we wine “I can’t take it anymore.” How often we catch ourselves expressing frustration over the smallest trial. When you think you can’t take much more, remember Thomas Hauker’s example of God’s sufficient grace.

Where there are trials, atrocities, and difficult times our God’s grace is sufficient for us. We will celebrate in the time of atrocities because of the abundant grace. Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said... “We must form our estimate of men less from their achievements and failures and more from their sufferings.” William Penn supports this by saying, “No pain, no palm, No thorns, no throne, No gall, no glory, No cross, no crown.”