How is grace working for you?

Dear Friends, prayer and financial partners,

Consider this, the Apostle says of himself,

"I have obtained mercy to be faithful" (1 Cor. 7:25, cf. 1 Tim. 1:13).

Notice, he did not say,

"Because I was faithful, I obtained mercy;" but, "I obtained mercy to be faithful."

There's a world of difference here—the difference between works and grace. This is why Paul so aptly spoke when he said—

"I have obtained mercy to be faithful"

I fear that often we Christians feel—or, perhaps, I should say, we act as if we feel that God's grace is really not enough to get us to Heaven. This, no doubt, is because we confuse works with the work of grace. Now, please understand, grace produces works—as in 'does good works.’

However, it can never be said that works ever produces grace. Otherwise, we get our cart of good works pushing grace along. Whereas, in God economy, grace pulls our cart full of good works along—not the other way around.

Complicated? No, not really. Think of works and grace as a kind of spiritual pyramid. Grace is the foundation and works is the superstructure. 

Thus, we must ask ourselves what foundation we are building on? Paul said,

“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder (1 Corinthians 3:10)”

Again notice, Paul did not say,

“I laid a foundation as a wise builder”

and left it at that. No, he said,

“By the grace God has given me, I laid the foundation as a wise builder.”

Grace in this, as in all such cases precedes works! Nothing you do that is worthwhile in the Kingdom of God is of your own initiative; nor does works stand alone, grace always precedes works. But let us not forget that you never find grace standing alone, either.

Now, let’s get practical. Have you ever spent an inordinate amount of time trying to convince yourself and perhaps others—including God, that really deep down inside you are a good person by all the good things you have done? If so, I am sorry to inform you that good works initiated by a desire to prove yourself worthy is useless, because, as far as your salvation is concerned it is as Paul said, just a lot of (pardon the crude French) crap (Philippians 3:7-9).

Look it up! Those are Paul’s words, not mine.

Now, may I ask you—“How is grace working for you?”

Do you find living like Christ a task? Is it tedious? Perhaps, even boring? Could it be that you are struggling on your own to do the right things. Things like paying a tithe. Giving to missions. Thinking positive. Staying focused on Christ. Whatever! Then may I suggest that you step back, take a deep spiritual breath and breathe in some of God’s grace. It works every time. And, thank God it does.

Still confused. Here try these verses—

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. (2 Corinthians 12:9(NLT)

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV)

Through it all, just remember, we are not on this journey alone. He walks beside us.

Jim_/