29th June 2021

Saved by grace

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)

A very well known hymn, Amazing Grace by John Newton, is a source of great comfort and assurance to many who hear it. It took some time for John Newton to appreciate the grace of God which, of course, no one deserves. I was a ‘wretch’ that was saved by the grace extended to me, a lost soul in the thicket of a wilderness of wickedness. But God found me and brought me into the fold of His Son. This is made very clear by Jesus coming in the flesh, the Word Incarnate, begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth, and of His fullness we have all received grace. John 1:14 -17 tells us that grace and truth comes through Jesus Christ.

We have to remind ourselves that grace is the unmerited, undeserved favour of God. It is entirely God’s action, a gift of God to us for our salvation in Christ Jesus. Whilst it is difficult to truly appreciate the grace of God, nevertheless, as Christians we are to grow in grace as we read in 2 Peter 3:18: ‘…but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.’ And as Christians God’s grace frees us from sin to live a new life: ‘…as instruments of righteousness [yielded] to God. For sin will no longer be a master over you, since you are not under Law [as slaves] but under [unmerited] grace…’ (Romans 6:13,14 Amplified Bible). 

By the grace of God I am who I am, and I can ‘…come boldly to the throne of grace’ and there I can ‘obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.’ (Hebrews.4:16). 

Christians are now basking in this grace of God. It is an amazing grace showered upon us, by which we are saved and by which we have fellowship with the Father, his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit – what a wonderful gift of God!

Prayer
Abba Father, God of grace and mercy, I praise You and give thanks for what You have done for all mankind through Your exceeding loving kindness. I pray in Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

Study by Natu Moti

 

About the writer:
Natu Moti is a Deacon in the Birmingham congregation of Grace Communion International.

Local congregation:
Gracecom Birmingham
All Saints Church
George Road
Birmingham
B23 7QB

Meeting time:
Saturday 1pm

Local congregational contact:
David Gibbs
Email: birmingham@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church