“And of His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” — John 1:16–17
Where would you and I be had it not been for the grace of God? When John the Baptist saw Jesus from afar, he pointed and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Grace put on flesh and walked among us. The Scripture declares that Jesus came full of grace and truth, and out of His fullness we have received grace upon grace — blessing upon blessing.
We stand in God’s presence today only because grace availed itself to us. The Father looked from above and confirmed the Lamb in our worst state. Not only did He have mercy and release us from the penalty of sin, but He also released grace — that divine ability which empowers us to overcome everything that is not of God. This grace is more than pardon; it is power. It is God Himself working in us and for us.
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’” — 2 Corinthians 12:9
Apostle Paul once cried to the Lord three times, asking that the messenger sent to buffet him be taken away because the trials and persecutions were too much. But God told him that His grace is sufficient for him. In other words, even in the fire, I will supply you with an ability unknown to men — a grace that only comes from My presence. This grace enables us to stand where others fall and to sing even in the storm.
God affirmed this truth in Ezekiel 36:27, saying, “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes.” That is grace at work! The world may be driven by a spirit of disobedience, but in us lives another Spirit — the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of grace and obedience. This is why the Christian life becomes the easiest life when we learn to yield to the Spirit within. In our own strength we cannot obey God, but by His Spirit, we can. This is grace for obedience.
“‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts… and he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” — Zechariah 4:6–7
From the beginning, man lived under the counsel of grace. When Jesus returned to heaven, He told His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of grace (Zechariah 12:10).
We do not only have grace — you have the Spirit of grace Himself living on the inside of us. God allows challenges to come your way because He knows we already possess sufficient grace to overcome them. After all, it is not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit. Therefore, whatever challenge stands before you, whether sin, weakness, fear, or impossibility, it must bow before the grace of God. His grace is sufficient for every situation.
However, grace only works in a humble heart as God gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). When we acknowledge our need of God, grace will begin to flow — supplying enabling strength and lifting us. We cannot pray enough, fast enough, or be holy enough in our own ability, but grace makes all things possible.
We are all products of the grace of God. “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us to say ‘no’ to ungodliness and to live godly lives in this present world.” (Titus 2:11-12) Oh, what a precious gift — His grace, His divine enablement — all we need to live, to stand, and to finish well.
STAY BLESSED AND HIGHLY FAVORED. WE LOVE YOU.
PASTOR BEN OCHOLA.