The GRACE of GOD

But for GRACE, where would we be? Grace is GOD’S unmerited, unearned, and undeserved favor toward humanity. Every aspect of GOD’S dealing with humanity is because of His undeserved GRACE, MERCY, and LOVINGKINDNESS from ancient times. By GOD’S grace alone, are we saved! To us, a child was born! To us, a Son was given to pay the debt – our sin debt – we could not pay in our own strength! Scripture denotes in Romans 8:3, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, GOD sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.” Only because He is gracious, merciful, and full of love toward humanity would GOD do this!

Furthermore, scripture says, “For this is how GOD loves the world (humanity): He gave His One and Only Son so that EVERYONE who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16 NLT, my emphasis added). It is because of GOD’S compassion and favor, and for His name’s sake, we have been saved, restored, delivered, and rescued from our destruction. I love GOD because I now know He first loved me and continues to love me, regardless of me. GOD knew me (already made His mind up concerning me) before He formed me in the womb. Before placing me in the womb, He created me intrinsically and called me forth, all for His glory. And yes, there have been and will be faltering times on my part! For we all have and will fall short of His glory. But if we, you and I, put our trust in GOD and believe He is faithful to His Word, He will never leave us to fend for ourselves. I believe that! What about you?

I am a living testimony of GOD’S faithfulness. There was a time after I received His deliverance from substance abuse, I backslid because I did not handle a failed marriage well. Instead of looking to His inherent power within, I focused on what looked like another failure in life. But GOD, by His Spirit, directed me to Isaiah 54:5, which says, “For your Maker is your Husband, the Lord of hosts is His name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the GOD of the whole earth He is called.”  I am eternally grateful to my GOD for drawing me near to Him by the Blood of His Sacrificial Lamb, my Lord and Savior – CHRIST JESUS, and sealing me with His Holy Spirit. I hope that someone reading this will be encouraged by my testimony. No matter what life throughs your way, just know that GOD is for us and not against us. In life, we will have tribulations (trials, distress, frustrations), but be of good cheer (take courage, be confident); JESUS overcame the world and stripped it of any power to harm us. YES, ANY POWER!

JOHN 16:33 AMPC

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]