GRACE HAS COME TO YOU - PART 6

WEDNESDAY 10 JANUARY 2024

If we only hear a particular sermon in every Sunday service, and the preacher preaches God's saving GRACE as the title, the people that will get saved are humans. No matter the number of angels that will be there in attendance, they will not get saved because salvation is only designed for mankind. Demons can never get saved and be brought back to heaven. This shows that Mankind is truly blessed.

Reference: 1 Peter 1:10-12 New International Version (NIV)

"Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things."

Glory be unto God that the salvation which is in Christ Jesus is meant for mankind. To that effect, 2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV) reads, "He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time." If you pay apt attention to the latter part of this Scripture which says, "This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time", you'll acknowledge that grace had been in God's mind before the world began, which means that it was introduced in the councils of eternity.

So how do you function with the GRACE that you've received in Christ? Extend it to others in your world. For instance, as you preach the glorious gospel, the grace of God will take over the lives of the lost, with the power of God gaining access to their hearts and bringing salvation to them. So the gospel of truth entrusted with us, is to be preached to others, and in doing so, we extend God's grace to them. To instantiate this verity, Acts 14:3 says, "So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands" (ESV).

We can also show forth this grace in our daily conversations. To that effect, Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (NIV). Sometimes, certain conversations can be imprecise due to inability to grasp the spiritual meaning of Christ's words. This is why it is important to understand the Word before we testify to it, because we need to be able to also convince people about the Lord with confidence.

For instance, apostle Paul said to Timothy, "Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately" (2 Timothy 2:15 NET). When your conversations are properly influenced and guided by the Word, you'll be capable of leading others along the correct path defined by the accurate word of truth.

We can also express this GRACE by becoming true followers and imitators of Christ in our cheerful Christian living. So as you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, bear in mind that you are called to act on His commands and follow His examples as your Lord and Master. In line with this truth, 1st Corinthians 11:1 says, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ" (NIV).

More so, we can practise the Word of grace before others in our world, and in doing so, they can comprehend what it means to serve God, thereby giving up their walk according to the course of the world, and in the process, disconnect from the pattern of this world and ungodly manners by renewing their minds.

In conclusion, beloved, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified (Acts 20:32 ESV). Shalom!

Scripture Reading - John 1:16; Acts 4:33; Ephesians 4:7; 2 Timothy 2:1.

Guided Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank you immensely for your saving and amazing GRACE which you've given me in Christ, bearing in mind that it is a revelation that yields lasting benefits, in Jesus' Name, Amen.