Today, we begin a new series where we delve into the scriptures to learn the fundamentals of grace and faith, understanding how the two complement each other and work together to bring us into the fullness of everything we have in Christ Jesus. Proverbs 4:5 urges us, “Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.” Wisdom and understanding are essential in the life of a believer; they help us comprehend and appropriate God’s promises. Without understanding, we fail to grasp the full value behind a particular practice that would then propel us into the action that will take us forward. The Bible cautions us, saying, “You are gods, and all of you are children of the Most High. But you shall die like mere men, and fall like one of the princes” (Psalms 82:6-7). To avoid the destruction caused by lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6), the Apostle James encourages us to ask God for wisdom if we lack it, believing that He gives generously and without reproach (James 1:5-6).
For us to walk in every blessing we possess in Christ Jesus, it is crucial that we understand two fundamental concepts: grace and faith. Grace is what God has done and provided for us, while faith is our response to God’s promises, using the principles in His Word to appropriate what He has already made available. Ephesians 2 shows us that while we were dead in sin, God made us alive together with Christ and seated us in heavenly places in Him (vs.5-6). This act was solely God’s grace, not by any effort of our own. We must accept this grace, this unmerited favor, and renew our minds daily to this truth until we fully grasp it. True understanding brings deep conviction, empowering us to access the abundant grace and exceeding riches available in Christ Jesus (vs.7). However, these benefits are realized only through consciousness. Spiritual transactions are facilitated through knowledge, which is why the Bible says, ‘Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord” (2 Peter 1:2). Additionally, Scripture teaches that we are saved by grace through faith, not of ourselves; this grace is a gift of God (Eph. 2:8). God has done all things to perfection and packaged them in grace. Ephesians 1:3 and 2 Peter 1:3 affirm that God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ and given us all things pertaining to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him. Now, faith is cooperating with the Word and using it to lay hold of these blessings that are available for the taking, such as healing, prosperity, and deliverance. As Christians, it is important that we maintain balance in our dealings. To properly balance grace and faith, we must recognize that grace is God’s gift to us, and faith is our response. We must avoid functioning in the extremes – relying solely on grace without action, or trying to earn God’s favor through works.
In conclusion, let us consider the words of Apostle Paul in Ephesians 3:20: ‘Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.’ Our ability to experience God’s provision is directly linked to our understanding – that is the power that is at work in us; we cannot go beyond this. This truth is clearly illustrated in the parable of the sower who scattered seed, where some fell on good ground and yielded a crop varying in abundance, from a hundredfold, sixty, and thirty (Matthew 13:8; Mark 4:8). Though we all hear the Word, our fruitfulness varies depending on our comprehension: ‘but he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty’ (Matthew 13:23; Mark 4:20). It all hinges on the depth of understanding and application of the Word in our lives. Therefore, let us persist in our pursuit of wisdom and understanding, continually renewing our minds to the truths of God’s Word, so we too may live in the fullness of His grace and faith.
Prayer
Father, thank You for the precious gift of Your Word which continually renews our minds and transforms our lives. Through its timeless wisdom, You guide, encourage, and correct us so we can eat the good of the land. We pray that Your Truth pertaining to grace and faith takes root in our hearts and bears fruit abundantly. As we have received this Word, we choose to apply it diligently in our daily lives, using our faith to lay hold of all the blessings You have made available to us. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
