GRACE
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Eph. 2:8-9).
Do you know people who like to be in control? Someone who needs to have their hand in everything, everywhere, at all times? Maybe that’s you or a spouse, boss or parent in your life.
We can agree that for the most part, people who have a “my way or the highway” attitude are annoying. Without delving too deeply into motivations and mindset, there are several reasons we can be prone to this behavior. Feelings of insecurity, the need for affirmation, and a conceited attitude are some of the many possible causes.
I believe Paul had deep insight into our human tendency to want to be in control. He wanted his hearers to know that the grace through which they had been saved had absolutely nothing to do with them, their effort or accomplishment. He first makes the statement, “For by grace you have been saved through faith” and then reinforces it with a threefold response:
Grace is not deserved or your own doing.
It’s a gift of God--nothing you did made it happen.
You can’t take credit for it.
Simply defined, grace is undeserved kindness. It is a gift.
The Bible tells us that our faith is also a gift: For by the grace given me I say to everyone of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you (Rom. 12:3).
Paul knew a thing or two about arrogance and conceit. He was well- known for being a persecutor of Christians, that is, until Jesus literally knocked him off his high horse.
Grace and faith work hand-in-hand as miracle activators. In just one of many healing stories, Matthew recounts the tale of two blind men who came to Jesus hoping for restored sight. He first asked them, “Do you believe that
I am able to do this?” After they said they did, He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you,” and their sight was restored(Matt. 9:28-29).
The bottom line is that all we have and all we are is a gift from God.
And here’s the kicker. God gave us these gifts of grace and faith to be shared with others–not to just keep for ourselves. When we share our faith and extend grace, we’re reminded of our humble status before God. We also get to participate in the miracle-working process!
How can you share the gifts of grace and faith with the people you see and engage with today?