Dec 13

Grace Has Been Given

“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” Ephesians 4:7

Grace is free: it is a gift that once we have received, it binds us to the giver forever. There is no question that we are forever indebted to Christ. He so freely gave his life for us, suffering and dying that we might have life eternal. This is a gift we do not deserve; one we can never repay, but there is no question that it will change us forever as we feel its power take hold of us. Grace ties us to the giver in a way that duty and obligation never can. It produces in us the desire to be like the giver. It causes us to live lives of grace, for once we have tasted of God’s grace, we can no longer live graceless lives. God’s grace is bountiful; it is never ending, and it reaches to the farthest corners of our souls and fills us with love and gratitude. We must let it flow through us to others. A young Christian may not fully understand the implications of grace. Ephesians tells us that grace comes to us in portions; not that Christ is withholding it from us, but as we grow and are able to appreciate it more, Christ reveals grace to us in greater measure. Let his grace fill every corner of our being and flow out to a hurting world as we live the life that Christ would have us live; a life of grace. 

Oh, God of grace! How we praise You for Your gift of Jesus, Your gift of grace! We can never repay You, but we can live lives of grace. Your grace abounds toward us and it overwhelms us. Let it flow through us to others. Let it change us from selfish human beings, to selfless followers of Christ, that Your name might be praised! Amen