For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
God extended His grace to us which allowed us the faith to be saved. We could not have done anything to save ourselves. We did not bargain or barter with God for His salvation. Salvation came to us through Christ’s death because of God’s love and grace (Romans 5:8). When Christ died, we no longer were sinners, enemies or aliens but sons of God (Romans 8:14).
God’s grace didn’t stop at the gift of salvation or justification. It continues throughout our Christian journey in the process called sanctification. The grace that saved us now keeps us through the journey of spiritual maturity. The power of grace not only saved us but also enables us to remain saved. God is faithful to us even though we are not faithful to Him. We will never be able to earn God’s favour or blessing. We don’t have to try to earn because we have God’s grace.
He will keep us strong to the end, so that we will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:8-9). God who has called us into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord is faithful.
Aspects of God’s grace that sustains us:
1. The power of grace keeps us from sinning.
As we are in this world, we are tempted from three different angles. We are tempted by Satan, worldly pleasures and our old nature. We have the grace of God to overcome temptation. The more sin that is around us, the more grace God will give us to overcome (Romans 5:20-21). The greater the temptation, the greater the grace. Even though we have sin and temptation around us, we have the grace to overcome. Grace is the ability to overcome sin and temptation. If we do sin, the grace is not removed from us. Our Christian walk is by grace. When we mess up, we need to look to God that is where the grace is. We need to approach the throne of God with grace (Hebrews 4:15-16) where Jesus Christ continues to intercede on our behalf (1 John 2:1).
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. Galatians 5:16-17
2) The power of grace sustains us through trials.
We feel like giving up especially when we are going through sickness, financial difficulties and relationship issues. When it looks like there is no hope, we feel like running away from the situation or even committing suicide but there is the grace of God that overshadows those feelings of hopelessness (Psalms 23:4).
God’s grace is more than sufficient for us. God’s grace cannot fall short, it is all we need to hold on to. God is faithful. He does not turn His back on us. In the reality of God’s grace, it keeps us through trials, tribulations and from sin.
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
