I often post a list of all the things for which I’m thankful on Thanksgiving. But, in an effort to get back into the habit of daily blogging, I’ve decided to do a post a day for the month of November.
1. Grace
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
The number one thing on my list of “that for which I am thankful” has to be grace. Because of my faith, through God’s grace, I am saved. I am cleaned of my sins and considered righteous in God’s eyes. NOT because I do everything right, but as a free gift of love from God.
Jehovah God, Creator of the universe, loves me enough that, despite who I have been in the past, despite the fact that I am a dirty rotten sinner who deserves nothing, despite the fact that I should have absolutely no expectation of even a passing glance from Him, still gives me salvation through His grace, and still accepts me into His fold.
Theologically, grace is defined as:
- the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.
- the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.
- a virtue or excellence of divine origin: the Christian graces.
- Also called state of grace. the condition of being in God’s favor or one of the elect.
In Greek, the word is charis, which means divine favor or goodwill, but also means “that which gives joy” and “that which is a free gift”. Both Paul and Peter used the word charis in their writings to talk about the gift of salvation.
Titus 2:11 says: 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 the 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.
Without God’s grace, I would be nothing. But because of His grace, I am redeemed from my sins, washed clean and purified, sanctified, and righteous.
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