DAILY DEVOTIONAL FROM PASTOR WESLEY February 2, 2022

Living by Grace

Paul says we ought to live every day in God's grace so that we remain dependent on Him.

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace, you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:1-10

As Christians, we know we’re saved by God’s grace. But grace isn’t a onetime gift. Following our salvation, the Lord continually gives us that blessing every day so we can live by it in every aspect of life.

Paul wrote extensively about believers being recipients of God’s favor and often opened or closed his letters with “grace to you.” He experienced the power of divine grace to trans- form his life and enable his service (Acts 9:1-20). The apostle was also able to endure adversity with joy and contentment because he knew divine grace was sufficient for his weakness (1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9). And the Lord will do the same for us.

Paul urges us to continue in God’s grace because it’s the way we live in full dependence upon Him (Acts 13:43). Every time the Lord meets our needs, guides our steps, forgives our sins, or comforts and strengthens us in our hardships, He’s lavishing us with divine favor. And it doesn’t end in this life. In the eternal ages to come, He will show us “the boundless riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7).

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