Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. Ro. 1:5
Yesterday we talked about “receiving” as “intentionally taking hold of something”. If you missed the convo you can find it on THE ROAD THROUGH ROMANS PAGE.
Today I want to begin a dialogue about what it is we have actually “taken hold of.”
We have received or taken hold of grace. In other words we have intentionally taken hold of or come into possession of the charis of God, the unmerited good will, loving-kindness, and favor of God.
What does grace accomplish in our lives?
- Grace exerts God’s holy influence upon our souls. It causes God to become the primary decision maker in our lives. Without the application of God’s grace we continue to be our own boss and make the same bad decisions which got us in trouble in the first place.
- Grace keeps us from going back to the world and it keeps us close to Jesus. Without it we are like wild dogs off leash running back to the wilds.
- Grace strengthens us and causes us to become truly powerful people. Without it we remain weak and helpless in a world at war.
- Grace increases faith in God, knowledge of God and affection towards God. As it operates in our lives we trust Him more, understand Him better and love Him more fervently. Grace keeps our relationship with God from growing stale.
- Grace empowers us to practice Christian virtue.
In short we cannot do anything truly “Christian” without God’s grace operating daily in our lives. Further with grace in daily operation in our lives we cannot help but becoming more and more “Christian” in our living.
It does beg the question, how many of us do you think have shut down the application of grace in our daily lives? Have you ever done it?
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I still find myself wanting to be boss. I think the world is adamant that we be independant and I fall into that trap from time to time. I guess it takes a lifetime to grow up.
It sure does. I have been at this walk for thirty five years and I still struggling to let Christ be boss of all my life at all times. It has gotten better but I have miles to go.
The road home is the best road to travel even if it has some potholes and struggles along the way.
So true! It may be a narrow path but the journey is worth the making.