We casually toss around the word grace in so many ways. Saying thanks before a meal, a name on a church, or a greeting in the Bible.
There are both common and specific forms of grace.
Saving grace is very “generic” (not cheap but similar for all). Grace for life is where it becomes unique.
Grace enables
“According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it.” 1 Corinthians 3:10
Paul is speaking of a specific grace given to him for the completion of the job God had for him.
We use words like calling, leading, prompting, or the will of God. We know these things are unique.
Here Paul says this is the specific grace given to aid us in doing what we are made for.
Sometimes we settle for the knock off or the imitation. We attempt to replicate Gods grace, making it a mirror image of the grace shown to someone else.
This is unique and precision cut for who we are created to be.
Grace Empowers
We also tend to think of our calling or need for grace in terms of a lifetime or a significant portion of our lives. It can be an empowering for the task at hand today.
Acts often speaks of the Holy Spirit coming on the disciples to empower them to share their faith. He was the wind in their sails, giving them the ability to accomplish the task at hand.
We work hard, but even our effort is guided by grace. Paul illustrates this in 1 Corinthians 15:10
“By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.”
There is a partnership between grace and our hard work.
An easy application of this truth would be to pray this prayer each day…
“God, give me the grace to do what you have called me to do today.”
- Grace enables and empowers.
- Grace strengthens and sustains
- Grace leads and guides.
Grace is so much more than the forgiveness of sins.
Grace is not only an event, but also an invitation to journey with the Creator of the universe.
This truly is amazing grace!
Photo credit: 3625460-R1-014-5A via photopin (license)