HOW TO RECEIVE GOD'S GRACE?

The grace of God refers to the divine favor or giving of His blessings to those who genuinely believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. The giving of His blessings to those who believe in Jesus is free and can never be gained through good works. There is no condition to receive it. We can be the worst person in the world, and still receive the grace of God because the only requirement to receive the grace of God is to believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, genuinely. And this is the reason many people who realize their sinfulness feel like they do not deserve the blessings of God. In a way, there is truth that we do not deserve the favor or blessings of God because of our sins. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." The wages in the above verse refer to the consequences of our sin. The consequences of our sin are death, so we deserve to die in our sin and be lost in hell forever. However, despite our sins, God has shown us His favor that we do not deserve. God, instead, gives us eternal life through our Lord Jesus because we believe in Him.

God's grace or the unconditional, unmerited favor (giving of His blessing) is possible because of Jesus' death on the cross and His resurrection. It is free for us to receive God's blessings or favor, but it cost our Lord Jesus His life. And this is the reason we must believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior in order for us to receive God's grace. We receive forgiveness and eternal life, in which they are all part of God's grace, because Jesus took our place in dying for our sins. Instead of us dying for our sins, Jesus died for our sins. No one can receive God's grace without believing in the Lord Jesus. We cannot receive God's favor by our good works because our Lord Jesus has done it all for us on the cross. When we try to receive God's favor of being good, we will fail to receive it because it is not the way God gives His favor. We must believe in Him first and surrender our lives to Him, then we will receive His grace or favor.

Let us stop trying to get God's grace or good favor by our good works. When we genuinely believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God has already given us His grace. We will continue to discuss this tomorrow. Let us be thankful that we already have God's grace and favor in our lives.  

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Why do I need to believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior in order for me to receive God's grace? Can I receive God's grace or favor by being good? How do I feel knowing that God's grace is free?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, I am forgiven and have eternal life not because of what I have done, but because of what you have done for me. You died on the cross for my sins and resurrected from the dead so that I can have a new life in you. Thank you for your grace. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.