The 12 Gifts of Christmas
12 days featuring 12 gifts we receive because of Jesus.
Gift #3: The GIFT of Grace!
“Amazing grace! How SWEET the sound that saved a wretch like me,” penned John Newton in his infamous lyrics. This man knew the cost and power of grace. I hope you know and are actively experiencing the grace of God.
The GIFT of grace! If you are a Christian, you have been gifted the perpetual gift and outpouring of grace because of Jesus Christ.
The gift of grace is all that is needed to live a godly life in peace with God and power over sin!
Paul said it this way, “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” (Ephesians 1:3)
And again, Paul says “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God – and righteousness and sanctification and redemption – that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31)
This grace that Paul boasts about is more than a mere nod of God toward flawed mortals. God’s grace is imparted power over the old man, our old ways, and real power to live freed from the shackles and slavery of sin. John Newton, a slave ship’s captain, understood the horrors of slavery all too well. He was responsible for transporting slaves to England, and in the process, causing many of these precious souls to die on board his ship due to the horrendous conditions. But even John Newton found grace in the eyes of God.
How is this possible? Because we all have fallen short of the glory of God. We all need a Savior to set us free from our old sinful ways; a Savior to set us FREE! John Newton found His freedom is becoming a slave to the Emancipator of emancipators. Jesus said, “if the Son sets you free, you are free in deed!” John was a freed man in the flesh, but a willing bond-servant in the Spirit.
What is this grace John wrote about? What is this grace Paul proclaimed in every city he visited? Grace is not as ethereal as you might think. Paul wrote about the power of grace in your life when writing to a young man who was shepherding Christians in the first century:
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:11-14)
In other words, the GIFT of grace is real! Real power in the face of temptation. Real strength to overcome. Real joy and love because of what Jesus did for you and I.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound!
With much peace, grace, mercy, and love in Christ,
Jeff
