Effortless Grace

Grace: The Gift We Could Never Earn

“For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through faith. And this salvation is not of yourselves, of your own doing; it came not through your own striving, but it is the gift of God—not because of works, lest any man should boast.”

Ephesians 2:8–9 (AMPC)

Grace. Unmerited favor. Delivered from judgment. Saved through faith. And it is not of our own doing, not of our striving, not of our works, but it is a gift. A precious gift. A gift that gives us the right to become heirs of God and receive eternal life.

Being an heir means that we are now His children. We inherit everything that belongs to Him—nothing excluded. We have been adopted into His family and are fellow heirs with Christ.

“And if we are His children, then we are His heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory.”

Romans 8:17 (AMPC)

When Scripture speaks of sharing in His suffering, it does not mean that God delights in our pain. It means that while we live in this fallen world, we will face trials and difficulties.

A trial is not the same as a temptation. God does not tempt anyone.

Temptation comes from the enemy, the father of lies, whose desire is to draw us away from God’s truth and God’s best for our lives.

But when difficult circumstances come our way, God uses them to strengthen and mature our faith.

“Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort… And let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfectly and fully developed, lacking in nothing.”

James 1:2–4 (AMPC)

Does God send bad things to happen to us? Most certainly not. Yet when we find ourselves in difficult situations, God can use those circumstances to refine us, strengthen us, and teach us to trust Him more deeply.

He always works for our good.What the enemy intends for harm, God is able to turn around for blessing, growth, and His glory. So let us be clear:God tests to help us grow. He develops our faith so that we may become mature, complete, and lacking nothing.

How do we grow?

Read your Bible.

Study His Word.

Pray.

Ask the Holy Spirit for revelation.

Spend time with God.

Equip yourself with His truth.

And do not forget to be still.

For sometimes God speaks most clearly in the quiet.

When Elijah stood before the Lord, God was not in the mighty wind. He was not in the earthquake. He was not in the fire. After all the noise had passed, God spoke through a gentle whisper.

“And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.”

1 Kings 19:11 (AMPC)

In the middle of confusion, disappointment, frustration, or fear, God is still speaking. Prepare your heart to hear Him. Listen for the still, gentle sound. The soft whisper of our great God.

Prayer

Father God,

Thank You for showing me that I do not have to earn Your favor.

Thank You for Your unconditional love, Your limitless grace, and Your infinite mercy.

Thank You for choosing me and for allowing me to follow You.

Thank You for trusting me to run the race You have set before me, with perseverance and endurance, fulfilling the purpose You have prepared for my life.

Today I lay at Your feet all my doubts, fears, insecurities, sicknesses, and every thought that opposes Your Word and Your will for my life.

Take control of my heart and mind.

Replace my feelings with Yours.

Strengthen me to overcome every giant, every storm, and every fiery dart that seeks to lead me away from the path You have prepared for me.

Help me to trust You more deeply, walk with You more closely, and listen more carefully for Your gentle voice.

Thank You, Abba Father.

Thank You, precious Jesus.

PRAYER

SONG