Remember God's Grace

"We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also

that ye receive not the grace of God in vain."

- 2 Corinthians 6:1

Paul's words recorded in 2 Corinthians 6:1 was a reminder to the Corinthian believers. During Paul's time, many Christians were tossing aside the clear message of God's good grace. Many false teachers were proclaiming different messages that twist and pervert the assuring substance of the grace of God. It is because of this that Paul had to make a statement that the Corinthian believers should "receive not the grace of God in vain."

Regarding this issue, Christians of today are not an exception. At times, we also become guilty of this crime of neglecting / forgetting / receiving in vain the grace of God. We sometimes become overwhelmed with the pressures of this life, the problems of necessities, and the worries of tomorrow, that we tend to focus on our difficulties rather than the God of our deliverance. In essence, Paul's reminders are also relevant to us. In this article, we will examine three things about God's grace that would remind us of how the grace of our God is and will always be sufficient for us (2 Corinthians 12:9).

1. Remember God's Saving Grace - Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:24

Since our God has the immutable power of saving us from eternal damnation through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, then why, oh Christian, are you worrying about the troubles of your present circumstance? If God is able to save us from unquenchable hellfire, then He would definitely be able to deliver us from our momentary problems in this life.

God's saving grace has given us: 

     - a unique POSITION of being SONS OF GOD (John 1:12, 1 Peter 2:9), 
     - a renewed PURPOSE of being SERVANTS OF GOD (Romans 12:1, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14),
     - and a guided PRACTICE of having the STANDARDS OF GOD (1 Peter 1:15-16).

When faced with overwhelming stumbling blocks, remember God's saving grace.

2. Remember God's Supplying Grace

Once we put our whole faith and trust in God, it goes without saying that we are also putting our faith in the miraculous and awe-inspiring ways of God's provisions. According to the gospels, God continually provides for the needs of the birds of the air (Matthew 6:25-27). So why should any Christian worry about his/her needs, when the God of all sufficiency provides from His storehouse of grace and blessings? God only wants us to do two things: 1.) First things first, trust God and walk according to His will (Matthew 6:33), and 2.) Pray in faith unto God and ask, seek, and knock (Luke 11:9-10).

God provides for us three things (in order of least important to most important):

     - Our MATERIAL needs - these are bodily, physical, and tangible needs.
     - Our CIRCUMSTANTIAL needs - these are the basic necessities of man.
     - Our SPIRITUAL needs - these are virtues, doctrines, and values we need from the Word of God.

In times of pressing needs, remember that one of the names of our God is Jehovah-Jireh - "the Lord will provide".

3. Remember God's Sustaining Grace - Psalms 55:22

There is a slight difference between the words SUPPLYING and SUSTAINING. By definition, the word SUPPLYING means to give, to provide, to satisfy and urgent necessity (Dictionary). On the other hand, the word SUSTAINING means to keep alive, to keep going, to provide for to continue (Dictionary). In a much clearer illustration, consider the following:

- SUPPLYING is God giving you your needs for ONE WEEK.
- SUSTAINING is God giving you your needs WEEKLY.

It is God's grace that keeps us going every day of our lives. You might say that you are the one who works hard for everything that you have in your life, and that it is only through your efforts that you have achieved and gained much. Then, my friend, let me remind you of the free air and oxygen that you consume every so often. Oh, how unfortunate it would be when you wake up one morning with a note on your head stating that from that point onwards, you are going to be paying for your own oxygen, a dollar for every intake.

God's sustaining grace teaches us of three very promising truths:

     - God's EVERYDAY SUPPLY - Philippians 4:19, 2 Corinthians 4:16
     - God's EVERLASTING SUFFICIENCY - 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Corinthians 3:5
     - God's ENDURING STEADFASTNESS (Faithfulness) - Lamentations 3:22-23, 1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:24, Hebrews 10:23, 1 Peter 4:19

In conclusion to this article, in times of troubles, difficulties, and doubts, we should always remember God's grace: His saving grace, His supplying grace, and His sustaining grace.

God bless!

-MSVMatienzo (2014)