Grace

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:1 NLT

In our Promise for Today - Paul instructs Timothy to be strong in grace. Take a minute to think about that. We are saved by grace through faith... Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT reads, God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 

During job interviews, we are often asked what are our strengths. It can be the determining factor for whether or not we get the position we want. As humans, we tend to take great pride in what we see as the strengths in our lives. Do you know yours? Would you say grace is one of your strengths?

Here's a way to test ourselves to know. How about that one that gets on your last nerve every time you see him or her coming? How do we get rid of the anger? On paper, the answer to that is simple. We need to forgive for whatever caused the rift in the first place. Easier said than done, but so totally possible only by the grace that is in Christ Jesus. How do we forgive? Grace. How does God forgive us? Grace.

The Truth is we shouldn't take personal pride in any of our strengths. God gave them to us while we were being formed in our mother's womb. He gifted us with what we would need to accomplish His purpose for our lives. We must choose to grow in grace and to extend it toward others. In other words, do what we're supposed to be doing - to live like Jesus every day.

Prayer:

Father,

           Forgive us for holding unforgiveness, for being critical and judgmental. Change our hearts and minds to reflect Your love. Help us to walk in Your Word that instructs us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen