I Peter 4:10; Phil. 4: 13
‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’ (Phil. 4:13)
Grace has been defined as the love shown us by God because God desires us to have it, not necessarily because of anything we have done to earn it. This favour is the free, undeserved and unmerited help that God gives us to respond to his call to become partakers of the divine nature and of eternal life. ‘For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast’ (Eph. 2: 8-9).
The Bible mentions the word ‘grace’ in more than 170 occasions. The Hebrew word used in the Old Testament is ‘khen’, (Noah-Gen.6:8) while the Greek word used in the New Testament is called ‘charis’. This word can be interpreted grace, favour, care or help. It speaks of an act, which one grants to another. The most popular definition of God’s grace is unmerited favour.
Grace is a divine enablement that empowers a man to do beyond the ordinary and achieve the impossible. When grace is at work in a man’s life: expectations are surpassed, limitations are set aside, boundaries are crossed, mountains are surmounted, struggles become triumph and all things work together for good. Nothing can be compared with the grace of God. Of a truth, no one can succeed or make it through the journey of life without a measure of God’s grace. How does this grace work?
- Grace to know God. The first work of grace in the life of a Christian is salvation. ‘For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast’ (Eph. 2: 2-9). Salvation is by grace; no mortal can please God or pay the price of redemption from sin and eternal damnation; it is the grace of God that has brought salvation to us through Jesus Christ the son of God. Salvation is a gift freely given by grace through faith in Christ. ‘….. but the people that do know their God …….’ (Dan. 11: 32b). For grace to work for you, you must come to the knowledge of God through Christ. Matt. 11: 27 says ‘All things are delivered to me by my father, and no man knoweth the son, but the Father, neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomever the Son will reveal him.’ It takes grace therefore to know God. Remember the hymn writer says: ‘grace has brought you safe thus far, and grace will lead you home.’
- Grace for strength. Grace makes the weak strong and enables the week to be strong. Daniel 11: 32 says ‘… but the people that do know their God will be strong …….’ Apostle Paul was one man that had an infirmity and limitations, he however did great exploits for the Lord and stood out in his generation. Grace defies physical limitations or disadvantages and enables a man to progress against all oppositions and resistance. A man that is operating under grace achieves without struggling because God’s grace enables his weaknesses. God’s answer to all Paul’s petitions was ‘And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’ (2 Cor. 12: 9A). Also, Isaiah 40: 29 says ‘He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength.’ Grace can help us when we are down, and can heal us when we are woundedor injured. Psalm 60:12 says ‘Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.’Receive strength in place of your weakness today and arise to do exploits.
- Grace enables exploits. An exploit is ‘a heroic deed of achievement; a great and daring feat’. The Bible is awash of men and women who did exploits for God. Examples include: Gideon and his 300 (Judges 7:19-23); Samson and his club of lion bone (Judges 14:5-6); Elijah on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:36-39); and countless heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. The apostles and the early Christians were also tagged to have turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). Remember, ‘… but the people that do know their God will be strong and do exploits.’ You were created for exploits and you must arise to do great works. God’s manifold grace is available for you for exploits this year. Attempt great things that you desire this year, and it shall be established.
- Grace breaks limitations. With God’s grace upon you this year, limitations will give way. Apostle Paul made us understand that with God’s abundant grace, all things are possible for us to accomplish. With God’s grace, the believer can do all things through Christ’. There is no limit to anyone covered and functioning under God’s Grace. Such people would say like Paul in Phil. 4:13 ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.’ We also can get this Grace of God to take us beyond our limits to do great exploits for God.
Beloved, all you need to do great things and accomplish greatness this year is GRACE. When you know your God, He strengthens you and when He does, you do exploits and break limitations. Shalom!
Leave a Reply