By Grace Alone

By Grace Alone
For the past year or so much has occurred in my life which has led to a deeper more secure understanding of grace. This understanding is ever so slowly and steadily freeing me to experience, in the present tense, abundant life. In addition, there's new sensitivity to hear the voice of God.
Most, if not all, of life these past many months has taught me that I have no control. I have no ability to save any other person on the planet. Zero, Zip, nada! It simply ain't up to me.
"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 (NKJV) "Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! We don't play the major role. If we did, we'd probably go around bragging that we'd done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing."~~Ephesians 2:7-10

Okay, since grace is a gift from God, and saving is His idea and all His work, what on God's green earth makes me think that I have the power to change another person; to make them be something they are determined not to be? What makes me think it is my job to make another person accept grace?

After rebuking the 11 disciples for unbelief and hardheartedness, Jesus told them to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." (NKJV Bibligateway.com)

I don't think I've ever read anything in the Bible where I was commanded to save anyone. By grace alone, through Christ alone, a soul is convicted and trusts God.

Do you remember your conversion story? Wasn't it grace alone that drew you to trust and believe God for salvation?

I share all of this to encourage any one who may be feeling discouraged or troubled because someone they love deeply continues to resist God. Maybe you believe there is something you need to do to make it happen. Perhaps you've gone so far as to think, "If I can just make them do the right things, then they'll change and want to be saved."

Dear one, be encouraged by the Word of God. The work is not yours to do, it is God's and God's alone.

Stephanie