By Pastor Alex Ruelo
What is grace? It is the blessing of God that nobody truly deserves. Nobody seeks God. Not even one. So what God did was, even before the world began, He already found a solution as to how He will save the people He was going to create. And when they are saved, they will continue on making mistakes over and over again, and yet, God’s grace will be enough.
What should be man’s response when he realizes what God has done for him? Acts 9:1-2 says, “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.” The apostle Paul used to be the number one enemy of Jesus’ followers. But it is in this same chapter wherein the Lord spoke to Him and where his story as a follower of Christ begins. Philippians 1:21-24 then says, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.” Paul wrote most of the books of the New Testament: the number one persecutor and killer of Christians during his day.
When you meet the Lord Jesus, you joyfully follow Him. You do things that you will not normally do. Mark 5:18-20 says, “As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.” The Decapolis is composed of 10 cities in the Roman empire. The man did this because Jesus told him to do it. And he did it because of the joy in his heart.
When you experience grace, you respond more then the law requires. Matthew 5: 21-22, 27-28 says, “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” If you understand grace, you will do more than what is asked from you. You will always go the extra mile. Matthew 5:38-42 says, ““You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” You do not deserve anything but God has given you more chances than you will ever deserve. Those who receive grace do not abuse it. They know that they do not deserve it so they do more.
When you understand grace, you are no longer ashamed. There is a difference between shame and guilt. Guilt is the position of being accountable for your mistake. Shame is the process of reshaping your identity based on your sin. It is a mental or emotional state that you do not have to carry around forever if you have received the grace of God already. Isaiah 6:5-7 says, “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” If you understand grace, you do not need to carry your sins around for the rest of your life.
When you trusted Jesus, you are victorious no matter what the situation is. 1 John 4:4 says, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 Corinthians 15:57 says, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” God is always there to help you overcome the daily temptations in your life.
Nobody is perfect; there is still room for everyone to grow. Philippians 3:12-15 says, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.” Be ready to change when God reveals things that you need to change within you. Ask God for help.
You may be tempted, but recognize that temptation has nothing to do with your identity. 1 Corinthians 16:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Whatever sin you commit is not who you are. You are a work in progress.
Do not be content with sin in your life. Romans 12:1-3 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” Do not think, even for a moment, that you are better than other people. Change the way you think. God’s grace is continuous, and you choose daily to live in His abundant grace.
There is hell and not everyone will choose salvation. Matthew 10:28 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” Hebrews 9:27 also says, “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” God loves you so much that He provides everything for you. Please do not think that the things you do in this life does not have any effect in your life.
You have a responsibility to steward and manage the grace, resources and gifts that you have been given. It is not God’s responsibility to give you grace. It is a gift that you do not deserve.
Ask God what you can give. What is it that He does not have? 1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Genesis 2:15 “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Isaiah 52:14 says, “Just as there were many who were appalled at him— his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness—” 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” When Jesus Christ was on His way to the cross, His face was so mangled that you will not be able to recognize Him. Isaiah prophesied it years before Jesus was even born. God physically carried your sins to the cross. If God can do that, why can humans not do the same? There is nothing you can do that God has not done.
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