Getting the Most from Grace
August 12, 2022
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT
Perhaps you have heard the often-repeated myth that human beings only use about 10% of their brain power. The scientific truth is that each day every human will use nearly 100% of their brain to survive. Much of it is instinctual—we don’t even know it is happening, but we couldn’t survive without it. However, the additional truth is that by our choices we can greatly develop the level of our brain activity and make it much more effective and powerful. Choices such as exercise, diet, input, and habits all impact how well-developed our brain becomes.
That’s a great example of God’s grace. We can’t even survive without it. Our very breath is ours because of God’s grace. But we live much of our lives without even considering grace. God has intended that His grace be the powerful impetus behind our steady growth into the image of Jesus. His grace is the source of life’s greatest satisfaction. His grace is so majestic and magnificent we will never come to the end of its ability to empower, strengthen, and change us. But how we grow and develop is up to our choices and cooperation with His resources.
One of the top ways to experience the power of God’s transformational grace is through active participation in His family, the body of believers known as the Church. It’s always been vital—but never more than now. The community of believers, especially through local-church connections, is the place that helps us refocus on God and keep our distractions and disturbances at bay. That focus is central to a grace-directed life.
The community of believers is also the place where we can most consistently and completely find grace to face and deal with the problems and challenges of life. The church community is your support group that surrounds you because they are fighting with you. It’s mutual!
Grace also comes to us through the church to fortify and grow our faith. The church family encourages us to create the right priorities, helping us wisely know what matters most. There are always ideas that just aren’t true and lead us away from God’s purpose for life. There are things that will make us weak and things that will make us strong. Here we are helped to see and understand clearly.
God’s grace can be magnified in my life, and I can cooperate with God and His people to see it happen!
- How will you engage with the avenues of grace God has opened for you?