I’ve written a lot about grace, but today I would like us to look at an additional facet in God’s diadem of grace. This aspect of God is the ubiquity of His grace.
A simple definition of grace is unmerited favor, and that meaning is sufficient for this devotional. We don’t need to dig deeper. For now, let’s consider two words: unmerited and favor.
Nothing Without Grace
If you’ve ever worked for a large company, then you’ve probably sat through job reviews. Your supervisor probably talked about your contribution to the success of the company, and then you were told you would receive an x% increase in your pay based on merit. That meant you deserved your raise because you earned your raise. Likewise, if you were in the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, then you’re familiar with merit badges that you deserve for your specific accomplishments.
In our English language, “favor” means many things. I may have injured my right leg so, when walking, I “favor” my right leg, meaning I’m treating it with care. I may do someone a favor by helping them without receiving full payment for my effort. And, we can substitute the word “prefer” with “favor,” as I favor t-shirts to button-downs.
Right now, wherever you are, you are living within God’s grace. Why? Because you can receive nothing from God without it being given by God’s grace, unearned and given because God’s favor is with you. If God ever did anything for you because you earned it, then God would be sharing His glory with you; God doesn’t do that (Isaiah 42:8).
Our walk with Jesus begins within His grace for “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17). Let that sink in.
Promises
As believes we harvest God’s promises from God’s Word. Does that mean that we are earning God’s grace? Hardly. We are told to study God’s word (2 Timothy 2:15). As we study, we find God’s promises. We receive answers from God’s promises through faith, by His grace.
Here’s a promise from God for Christians: For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. (Romans 6:14 ) You may ask, “How is Romans 6:14 a promise?” Since grace is unmerited favor, it doesn’t matter what your condition or circumstances are, you still have God’s favor. If by faith, you turn your sin over to God, then this sin will lose its mastery over you. It may take time and effort on your part to recover from the ravages of that sin, but that sin will no longer be your master.
Throne of Grace
In closing our quick survey of the ubiquity of God’s grace, consider this verse from Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” We find God’s grace in God’s throne in heaven. We see God’s grace as part of the very nature of Jesus. And we know that everything God has ever done for anyone has come by the grace of God.
Isn’t God good!
Photo by Evi Odioko on Unsplash
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https://rockexcavationservice.org/2019/11/21/say-grace/