Even Sanctification Is All About Grace
Do you ever think saints who’ve gone before us were some extraordinary people that you could never be? I have news for you: they were just regular folks like you and me. Really. Their secret was God’s grace and power. When we live in the Holy Spirit, amazing things happen despite us. You see, even sanctification is all about grace.
Let’s look at the first Christian martyr Steven as an example: Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6:8, NIV,*). He performed great wonders and signs because he was full of God’s grace and power. Without God’s grace and power, he would have been just an average guy without signs and wonders. Because even sanctification is all about grace and God’s power in and through us.
This is true for us too. How do I know? Just read a verse from Psalm 119: Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your custom toward those who love your name (Ps.119:132, NRSV,*). It’s God’s custom to give his grace to those who love him. And this grace is a powerful thing, nothing compares to it.
I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. (Eph. 1:17-18, NLT,*)
Even sanctification is all about grace
God wants to give his grace and power to all who believe him. This is not just any power but this same incredible greatness that raised Christ from the dead. Nothing in your life will be the same if you embrace God’s grace as your own power.
Just think. God wants to give you his grace and power, his wisdom and might, so you can serve him best. It’d be incredibly dumb to turn it down, don’t you think? We are called to do amazing things for God’s glory. Sure, we can’t perform signs or wonders on our own. But with God’s grace and power, we can do anything we’re called to do. Just like Stephen and other saints before us.
Gracious God,
Forgive us for forgetting your grace and power and
planning our lives equal to our own powers and not yours.
We don’t want to settle for anything less than your plan for our lives.
Strengthen us, fill us with your grace and power, and then send us to do your will.
Thank you for your love and grace, we are beyond blessed to be your children.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Q4U: Do you plan your life according to your own or God’s powers?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you learn to live filled with God’s grace every day of your life!
Photo by Viktor Talashuk on Unsplash.