Bathed in Grace

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the saints who are at Ephesus and who 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 with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:1-7

Many of the apostle Paul’s epistles begin and end on the high note of grace: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren” (Gal. 6:18). “Grace to you and peace from God our Father...” (Gal. 1:3). The life of the believer is bathed in the light of God’s grace. Our behavior, altitudes, and lifestyle should reflect the supernatural change that grace brings.

The person walking in grace is grateful. The more we understand and experience the grace of God, the louder our applause for the love of God. We reduce our level of criticism and griping.

The person walking in grace is content. Since all comes from grace, we understand that God will withhold no good thing from us. If we lack something, we perceive that God knows best. If we need it, God’s grace provides it. The grace of God give us whatever we truly need when we need it.

The person walking in grace is kind to others. We cannot receive grace for ourselves without extending that same grace to our fellow man. God does not treat us as we deserve, nor should we treat others as they deserve. The riches of God’s grace are yours through faith in Jesus Christ.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” Philemon 1:25