Hoekstra's Day by Day by Grace (February 3rd)

Access to Grace

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all…For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ…And God is able to make all grace abound toward you. (Revelation 22:21; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 9:8)

We have seen that abundant grace is available from the Lord, not only for justification, but also for sanctification. Yet, how does a person access the sanctifying grace of God? How does one actually live day by day by grace? Soon, we will consider the two relational realities that God wants to develop in our lives so we might live daily by His grace. First, let's reflect upon where that grace is found and the ability upon which it all depends.

The grace we need is always found in a person, not a procedure. "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." Consequently, in order to access this grace, we must seek after the person in whom the grace resides. No wonder that many of the letters of the New Testament end with "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all."

Our God does not waste words. He does not speak vainly. Nor does He stand on human formalities. These repetitious conclusions signify an emphasis from the heart of God. When the Scriptures conclude any subject to any people, the ongoing need will ever be that they learn to live by the grace that is found in Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, upon whose ability does the Christian life depend? We so easily become preoccupied with our ability. "Will I be able to please and serve God?" "Will I be able to be an effective witness?" The focus of the word of God is on His ability, not ours. "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace" (Daniel 3:17). "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him" (Hebrews 7:25). "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling" (Jude v. 24). "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20).

Concerning drawing upon God's grace, we may be thinking: "Will I be able to live by God's grace?" Again, God's ability is the issue, not ours. "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you." If we are willing to rely upon the One who is able (our Lord), we will experience abundantly His sanctifying grace in our lives.