A lesson about the grace of God

READ: Isaiah 31,32; Psalms 78; 2 Corinthians 6

SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 6:1 As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.

OBSERVATION: Sometimes, we read news about beggars who kept a large sum of money but died without using it. They could have used the money and had a good life when they were alive. Sadly, neither they use it for themselves, nor do they give it to others. As we all know, God’s grace is his unmerited favor to an unworthy person. Nowadays, some preachers give strange interpretations about grace and mislead many Christians. God gives us his grace to reconcile with him and live a new life with him, not for material blessings or worldly things.  Here, Paul warns the Corinthian believers “not to receive God’s grace in vain.” Paul’s word hints multiple meanings to the text. When a Christian trusts his works than God’s grace or when he lives a selfish life devoid of loving and obeying the Lord, he does not partake in God’s grace. Some people may believe in God but refuse to become a new creation in Christ. As we have seen before, some Corinth believers had childish attitudes concerning spiritual gifts and growth. When we do not live for the one who gave us his life, when we do not accept the gifts of grace, when we do not allow God’s grace to work within us,  we receive God’s grace in vain.

We all need God’s grace; we cannot earn it. We receive grace from God by accepting his offer of salvation. God’s grace is “new every morning” (Lam.3:23). As Oswald Chambers says, “The grace you had yesterday will not do for today.” So, we need to receive it from God every day. If we receive God’s grace in vain, it is we who miss all the blessedness of grace. God gives us abundant grace. We should not squander the grace of God. We must put it to use to become a mature Christian in Christ. As Peter says, let us “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet.3:18).

APPLICATION: As a Christian, I not only work for God but have the privilege of working with God as his co-worker. “I do not set aside the grace of God” (Gal.2:21). I receive “grace upon grace” out of the fullness of Jesus Christ (Jn.1:16). “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect” (1 Cor.15:10).

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for your grace. Jesus, help me remember every day that I am a sinner who was saved by your grace. Lord, help me to be strong in the grace of God. Holy Spirit, give me your strength every day to grow in the grace of Christ.

- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573

Day - 260