The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ

The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)

Bible Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10

Our memory verse is one of the most recited verses in the Bible because most Christians and denominations recite it at the end of their gathering or fellowship. I’d love us to exhort ourselves from this verse for the next few days.

First, it was Apostle Paul’s final greetings after writing two epistles to the church in Corinth. Apostle Paul’s writing style ends with greetings to summarize, encourage, and empower the faith of his readers. However, this last greeting is peculiar because it outlined three essentials in our Christian race: “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit”. These essentials are the foundation upon which the Christian faith and fellowship stands.

‘The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ’ speaks of the new dispensation established upon the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, it reminds us of our salvation, redemption, righteousness and the new life that we now have in Christ Jesus which is not by our power or might. (2 Corinthians 5:17-18; Ephesians 2:8-10). We are reminded that there’s an open invitation to come to Jesus Christ, trust in Him and rely not on our works, but surrender all at the cross to encounter newness through the cleansing blood of Jesus. We are also steered in the right direction that our journey starts and ends in grace. In fact, we are nothing but products of God’s grace.

However, grace is not a call unto lustful passion or a license to continue in sin; but God’s grace teaches us to abstain from worldly passion (Titus 2:11-12). In essence, Apostle Paul passed across a deep understanding of what our response should be to God’s commitment unto us. We are to seek Him wholeheartedly, diligently and in faith. His abiding presence can only reside in holiness and through his grace, God’s people are preserved and sustained regardless of the circumstance, the environment and the world system.

Self-Reflection: In what ways do you take God’s grace for granted?

Daily Confession: Lord, your grace is always sufficient for me in every situation. Help me to maximize Your grace in Jesus name.

Intercessory prayer: Pray that the grace of our Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be evident in the church globally.

Hymn: Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch; like me!

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.