Habits of Grace

“For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and this is not of your own doing, it is a gift of God. Not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Ephesians 2 vv. 8-9

It seems forever since I have written something here. I’ve come to learn that the end of August has now become quite full for me. Between planning Nehemiah’s first birthday, pulling seeds at the farm, tending my gardens, creating, and editing YouTube videos, and everything else I have going on—life has been hectic in manageable and satisfying ways.

In deep discussions with my farmer-friend early this morning, we shared on the idea of busyness. Although his spiritual beliefs are quite different from mine, during our catching of huge grasshoppers with our hands (to feed to the chickens), we clearly understood the importance of recognizing and experiencing God’s grace and mercy in everything. And for this we are both thankful.

God’s grace is habitual. It never stops, but how do we fulfill this same grace in our lives?

The verses I’ve chosen for this week’s reflection are ones I return to often; specifically on days I feel the burdens of the world. The world’s sins, (my own sins), disrespect toward God, and all the craziness we as Christians must come to accept. A lot is being thrown at us right now. But through grace, and only grace, we know we have been saved and our safe places are honored as such, because we let God in.

At the pinnacle of this Grace, we see that the Apostle Paul speaks of present times. Right in the beginning of the verses above, Paul tells us—For by grace you have been saved. Paul did not write that we would be saved. Salvation in Jesus Christ is in the present. It is finished. It is right now. But we must come to understand the breath of this salvation and its effect on our lives.

Through Paul’s valuable words, we come to grasp on to this realization and effectually comprehend what this all means! As God’s chosen people we are predestined for this salvation. In this predestination, we have been regenerated, allowing for cleansed hearts. Additionally, in God’s love for and adoption of us, we are justified as righteous people in Christ, and children of God. Furthermore, we become more holy through His sanctification. And finally, in glorification, God removes the manifestations and recognitions of sin in us, offering us revitalized minds and bodies.

The faith we hold on to is not humanized. It is given to us by God through this grace, He generously gives to us. This gift! This faith is in salvation! This present salvation, Paul wrote about! In Acts 13 v. 48 and Phil. 1 v. 29, we also read about the essential cause of saving faith. Salvation is God’s work alone provided to us through faith. Though good work is needed, it is not based on our works in this world. And Paul reminds us that it is only through God’s grace and kindness (v.7), faith comes. Not in our boasting (v. 9; Romans 3:19-27; 1 Cor. 1 vv.26-31).

Answering the question, I posed above will take a few more reflections.

The question again is:

God’s grace is habitual. It never stops, but how do we fulfill this same grace in our lives?

My interest has always been how to grow together in Jesus Christ–to deeply understand His love for us. In Second Peter 3 v. 18a, Peter instructed us to “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”. Because it is my profound joy to continuously commune together on this central task, I unceasingly seek out meanings and clarifications from respected authorships, to assist me on this path.

On the topic of growth, J. C. Ryle wrote:

“To man who has nothing more than a kind of Sunday religion—whose Christianity is like his Sunday clothes, put on once a week, and then laid aside—such a man cannot, of course, cannot be expected to care about ‘growth in grace.’ He knows nothing about such matters. ‘They are foolishness to him’ (1 Cor. 2:14). But to everyone who is in downright, earnest about his soul, and hunger and thirst after spiritual life, the question ought to come with searching power. Do we make progress in our religion [Christianity]? Do we grow?”  (pg. 99).

Friends, we are tested each day. Are we willing and earnestly ready and committed to grow in Christ?

Soon, I will delve into habits in and of grace, a bit more. Until then, as Ryle also suggested, in love– let’s continue to get on in spiritual things!

Growing together, inside and out!

Char

Sources:

Ryle, J.C. (1877, 1879, 2001). Holiness: Its nature, hindrances, difficulties, & roots. Charles Nolan Publishers (pg. 99)

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.