By His Grace

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

(Titus 3:3-7 ESV).

Grace is more than a free ticket to heaven. Grace does not only make it possible for fallen, imperfect, broken and sinful people to be accepted into the gates of pearl. It does far more. Grace works by the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior. "For by grace are you saved" (Ephesians 2:8). God's grace and mercy actually works with power to regenerate dead and lifeless rebels, washing them and renewing them by His Holy Spirit so that they are no longer the same. "Even when we were dead in sins, has he [God] quickened us [made us alive] together with Christ (by grace you are saved;) (Ephesians 2:5).

God's grace is personal. By this grace of God I have been saved. For I myself was once foolish, disobedient, led astray, a slave to various passions and pleasures, passing my days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God my Savior appeared, He saved me, not because of works done by me in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on me richly through Jesus Christ my Savior, so that being justified by His grace I might become an heir according to the hope of eternal life. Can you say the same about yourself? All praise and glory goes to God our Savior!

Grace and peace be multiplied to you who are in Christ Jesus by grace alone.