As we focus on Thanksgiving Day, most if not all of us can come up with a good list of things we are thankful for. And the Bible tells us that in everything we should give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18). In this post, I will focus on the grace of God, and how thankful we should be for the role it plays in our life.
We can’t earn the grace of God. Grace is unmerited favor from the Lord. In other words, it is a gift from God.
According to the Bible, we are saved by grace. But also, for every one of us in Christ, God has a purpose for our life. And whatever role we are to play in the body of Christ, God gives us the grace to fulfill His purpose.
As we read the New Testament, we can’t help but be impressed by how the Lord used Paul the apostle in the gospel ministry. In his first letter to the church at Corinth, he said he was not fit to be an apostle because he persecuted the church of God (1 Corinthians 15:9). Then he says, “But by the grace of God I am what I am….” (verse 10, KJV).
If Paul’s apostleship depended upon his qualifications, he would have been rejected. Again, he persecuted the people of God. He hated people who loved Jesus Christ. He was up to no good when Christ apprehended him on the road to Damascus. The good news is that the grace of God disregards our qualifications or the lack there of.
What Paul says about himself is true of us also. We are what we are in Christ; we are who we are by the grace of God. I know I am a preacher of the gospel by the grace of God.
Some Benefits of the Grace of God
Most of us have many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day (and every day). They may include employment, health and strength, dependable transportation, financial stability, a peaceful home, etc. And we often give God thanks for those things as we should. But one of the best and most priceless gifts God has blessed us with is His grace.
God gives us grace for daily living. His grace can do things for you that money can’t. For instance, you can perfectly prepare yourself for an interview with the right attire and resume, etc. But only God can give you favor through the person who interviews you for the job.
God gives us grace to help us overcome the challenges of life. He won’t take away every challenge you face in life. But for those things He doesn’t remove, He will give you the grace to go through them. Sometimes, I hear about the terrible things some people are going through. And I know the only reason they are still standing and have not lost their mind is because the grace of God is sustaining them.
God’s grace eliminates the need for us to be perfect. That is good news because no one is literally perfect. God’s grace does not require us to have everything in life figured out. Of course, we should do our best to live to please God. But even when we do our best, we will fail to measure up to His standards. That’s why we need the grace of God.
On this Thanksgiving Day and throughout the year, be sure to thank God for His grace. You are what you are in Christ, not because you deserve it but because of God’s amazing grace.
Copyright © 2023 by Frank King. All rights reserved.