Grace is such a wonderful revelation in the Word of God! We know that grace is all about the undeserved favour that God gives to sinners like us; to save us and set us free from the power of sin. What a joy to hear that! What a precious truth we get to enjoy!
When we take “grace” as the Scripture intends, it is powerful and effectual to save. But there are dangers when “grace” is taken out of context. One of the biggest challenges would be to change the grace of God into lasciviousness.
Let us take a look at Jude 4, “For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
Essentially, Jude tells us that there are false teachings of grace. Any grace teaching that promotes license to sin or sensuality is not from the Lord. Furthermore, the greatest danger of such teaching leads one to ultimately deny Jesus Himself.
In other words, the right kind of grace leads us to Jesus. And that is what we, as believers, must focus on. If we get the understanding of grace wrong, we will believe in a false version of Christ, which leads us to a false faith. What is the result of a false faith? The devastating answer – it leads one to end up in hell.
So, let us survey the key verse of the day in John 1:14 at the top of this devotion. We are told that Jesus became a man and lived among humanity. It is established clearly that His glory was shown to us and that Christ is full of grace and truth.
Grace and truth. Grace and truth.
Let the words resonate in our spirit. Why did Jesus come with grace and truth? The answer becomes obvious as we read the gospels and examine how Jesus conducted Himself. He was loving, patient, and kind to people – that is grace! But at the same time, He embodied justice, righteousness, and perfect wrath – that is truth!
He was gracious with the oppressed and the marginalised people, but firm with the religious accusers and oppressors. That is our Lord and Saviour – Jesus Christ! An honest reading of every teaching of Jesus would not allow a licentious view of grace.
Grace is supposed to lead us to Jesus who saves us from our sin. Grace is not meant to leave us in the very state of sin Jesus died for! As followers of Christ, we have to be very careful not to be swayed by any teaching that promotes a sinful lifestyle.
Let us conclude this devotion with the beauty of grace. If grace leads us to Jesus, we must go straight to Him alone. In Jesus, there is life. In Jesus, there is hope. In Jesus, there is love. In Jesus, there is forgiveness. Be it Zacchaeus or the woman at the well, they saw, believed, and received the magnificent grace of Jesus, and their lives were never the same again!
They were whole. They were joyful. They lived kingdom-minded lives. They lived for the glory of God. All because of grace. So, have you encountered the grace of Jesus yet?
Pray this with me, “Lord, I want to know You. I want to see You. I want to live the way You want me to live. May I be holy and blameless in Your sight. May I live with a desire to obey and trust You. I receive Your grace. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!”
