The Power of Grace for You!
Can your spiritual growth take a quantum leap? Does grace make it possible to accelerate growth in just a few minutes? Passages of scripture like the one we will look at today encourage us in the reality that we can grow spiritually at a much faster pace and that there is a powerful and awesome life for us to be lived!
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:1-14 (ESV)
There is too much here to digest in one sitting. This is a spiritual feast. As I meditate on this passage I see some things jump out which will truly accelerate spiritual growth.
Two Huge Blessings
Grace – God’s favor, a generous gift that God gives to us. It is expressed in so many ways.
Pre-salvation – before we are even following Jesus, God’s Spirit is at work in our lives and circumstances drawing us into his truth.
Salvation – we know that God’s grace is essential to salvation. We cannot be saved without his grace. What a gift!
Sanctification – likewise, we are sanctified by the grace and power of God. We cannot make ourselves holy but God desires us to be holy so we can have perfect fellowship with him, so he sanctifies us by grace!
Daily guidance and power – again, God’s grace makes this possible. He empowers us to follow Jesus wherever he leads. We cannot do this by depending on our own power but on the power God graciously provides through his Spirit.
The path laid out by God’s Word – God graciously gave us his word to help us in our daily lives. His word outlines his will and plan for us. It is a wonderful gift.
Every good and perfect gift is by grace. When Paul pronounces a blessing of grace, we remember all that God has done and continues to do by his grace!
Peace – tranquility, excessive good wishes. This peace is a powerful inner experience that transcends circumstances. When we experience this peace, we can affirm that no matter what, all is well. Every follower of Jesus receives this peace that is profound beyond description!
There’s More Here
We have been given every spiritual blessing in Christ. What are some of those blessings? Here are nine, none of which we can earn but all of which are available!
Salvation
Sanctification
Daily wisdom
Encouragement
Strength and power
The Fruit of the Spirit
The Gifts of the Spirit
Eternal abundant life
Peace and joy
It is so important to recognize not just the source but the reality of the gifts. God desires us to enjoy these gives and we simply receive them by faith.
We have been chosen by God and for his purpose to be holy and blameless. This is possible right now – ‘in his sight’ – not at some future time; he sees us right now. This is our present privilege and reality by faith.
What Jesus Did
Jesus accomplished all of this for us as he completed a new covenant for us.
He died for our sins.
He made us sons (and daughters) of God. His resurrection conquered death and gave us eternal life which makes it possible for us to be children of an eternal God.
He demonstrated to us the will of God. His life was the demonstration in word – through teaching and conversation – and in conduct – through prayer, healing, acts of compassion, miracles.
He opened the door for a direct relationship with God. Through his work, we can come directly to the Father.
He finished the work the Father gave him so there might be complete unity. All of Jesus’ followers are to be unified. I am grieved by the doctrinal squabbles that occur too frequently. We must focus on what unites us not what divides us.
Your Response
Your response to this scripture will shape your spiritual growth. Here are four things you can do.
One – Accept the reality that we can be holy and blameless in this life.
Two – Continually say yes to God.
Why say yes? Two good reasons.
The nature of God
He is love.
God is omniscient – he knows the best for us.
He is omnipotent – he will keep his promises.
He is faithful – he is always with us.
Our nature
We are selfish – we have trouble seeing clearly.
Because we are human, we are limited in our understanding.
We cannot see the outcome of our decisions.
We carry a history of bad decisions with their bad outcomes.
Three – Receive his grace and the incredible riches that he provides. Believe it, it can be yours!
Four – Be intentionally obedient and faithful. This is pleasing to God and it is best for us!
I encourage you to be strong, to share your experiences through the comments or on our Facebook page. If you want to go deeper, here’s a resource for you.
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