Note the past, present, and future tenses of salvation in the words of the Apostle Paul. "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." (Romans 5:10)
Marriage is like salvation. I got married. I am married. I will be married. Just as marriage is a life-long experience of grace and love, so is salvation.
All of the Christian life, day by day, is to be lived by grace. The scriptures encourage me to "continue in the grace of God" (Acts 13:43) and "grow in grace" (II Peter 3:18) and “be strong in grace” (2 Timothy 2:1).
Grace is essential for every moment of my life. God's grace is a “help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16), especially in times of painful duress. "After you have suffered for a little while...the God of all grace...will perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you" (I Peter 5:10).
There is no problem too great to be faced that God’s grace will not carry me through the challenge or difficulty. "God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed" (II Cor. 9:8). I like the words I read somewhere, “As God is illimitable, His action of grace is inexhaustible.”
Grace is a gift from God to develop and improve character. Grace is the power and presence of God to enable me to be and to do that for which I was created. “God is at work in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)
When I sin (even the same sin repeatedly), God gives me new grace as I confess and forsake the sin. I know God’s grace is not cheap, and I will not de-value it by my attitudes and actions. I realize God wants to stir, and even shake me up, to follow Christ with my whole heart and mind and strength.
I know grace is not just to solve my problems, meet my personal and family needs, and comfort and serve me. I know the Christian life is one of self-denial. Jesus said, “Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.” (Mark 8:35)
I realize Jesus taught not only to love my neighbor, but to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:43-44) He gave stern and strong commands. “Do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”(Matthew 5:39-42)
The Apostle Paul declared, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
God gives me the ability, courage, and hope to act as Christ lives in me. The Christian life is not easy. It is difficult and costly. God gives the grace to live it! Philippians 2:12-13 says, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to do His good pleasure.”
Centuries ago Francis of Assisi wrote a prayer that I adopt for myself:
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
After I wrote this post I read an insightful and informative article, "Spiritual Formation Agenda" by Richard Foster. It has meat for those hungry to grow in grace.
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