Did you know that grace changes everything?
The Lord has me thinking about grace lately. How it’s the foundation our faith is built on. And how God gives us this gift—His love and mercy and favor underserved by us, yet freely given to us through Christ.
Because grace came in the form of a baby in Bethlehem. Grace grew into a man who spoke about God’s Kingdom and performed miracles. And Grace died on Calvary’s cross, rose from the dead, and now sits at the right hand of the Father.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (ESV) “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16 (ESV)
Since grace changes everything, it changes who we are. It changes our eternal destiny. Also, grace changes how the Lord sees us—under grace, no longer condemned by the enemy or sin.
I’m not sinless but saved, not perfect but forgiven, not rejected but chosen, and not unloved but cherished. This identity in Christ comes through grace, amazing grace.
Here are 5 ways G.R.A.C.E. changes our lives.
G – God paid the price: Grace Changes Everything
God extended amazing grace to us at such a high price, His Son.
“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.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.” 2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV)
Hey friend, grace changes everything.
R – Redemption is free.
Rules never saved anyone. Rule-keeping never provided grace.
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV)
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23-24 (ESV)
Hey friend, grace changes everything.
A – Atonement provided by Jesus Christ: Grace Changes Everything
“…Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3b (ESV)
“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.” Romans 6:14 (ESV)
Hey friend, grace changes everything.
C – Confession releases us from sin’s grip.
“For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” Romans 10:9-10 (ESV)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (ESV)
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
Hey friend, grace changes everything.
E – Eternal life is a gift: Grace Changes Everything
“But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!” Romans 5:15 (ESV)
“So that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:21 (ESV)
G – God paid the price.
R – Redemption is free.
A – Atonement provided by Jesus Christ.
C – Confession releases us from sin’s grip.
E – Eternal life is a gift.
Hey friend, grace changes everything.
