Grace from Start to Finish
Sometimes we forget how big of a gift and privilege grace really is. We easily take it granted because it was given freely to us. And we forget how amazing it is that God – who is holy and almighty – does everything to make it possible for sinners to come to him. It’s grace from start to finish. It’s his idea and it’s his power that makes it happen.
But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name— who were born, not of blood [natural conception], nor of the will of the flesh [physical impulse], nor of the will of man [that of a natural father], but of God [that is, a divine and supernatural birth—they are born of God—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified]. (John 1:12-13, AMP)
Just like the baby does not birth him/herself, we can’t either birth ourselves spiritually. It is God’s power that does everything when we are born again of the Holy Spirit. It’s God’s grace from start to finish when we are spiritually transformed and renewed and adopted as his children. We just receive God’s generous gifts of grace and mercy in Jesus’ name.
It’s grace from start to finish
Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. (Hebrews 4:16, AMP)
So God prepared the way for us to be reconciled with God. But even that is not all, he continually invites us to come to him anytime we want. Let’s not take God granted and forget to use our privilege to approach him 24/7. We can receive mercy for our failures and grace in the form of an appropriate blessing whenever we need it.
God’s love for us is immense, we can never use it up. We are always at the receiving end, we will never be shortchanged. It’s all grace. And that grace will see us home to God at the end. It’s grace from start to finish.
Gracious God,
You are so much more than we can imagine
and we thank you and praise you for that.
Thank you that you do not fit in a box
and you are full of love, not demands.
How blessed and privileged we are that
you provide the way back to you.
Forgive our trespasses, Lord.
Pour out grace upon grace and
show us what it really means to live with you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Q4U: Do you believe it’s grace from start to finish?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you use your privilege to approach God 24/7!
* [As you might have noticed, I enjoy reading the Bible in different translations and love comparing them. I have started linking the Bible verses toBiblegateway.com so you can easily read (and compare) them in the different versions I’ve used while preparing each post.].
Photo by Kevin Young on Unsplash. Linking up today with Dance with Jesus, Five-minute Friday.
4 thoughts on “Grace from Start to Finish”
Beautiful. Visiting from FMF.
Thanks for visiting, Rebekah! Blessings to you!
Amen. I wish this truth would sink deeply into my whole being.
It will. God loves to answer these kinds of prayers. Keep on asking. Blessings to you, my friend!