For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8-10, NKJV

Some of you, perhaps, have read my book, “Manifestations of Grace”, or have noticed the title of my web page, “It’s All About Grace”. Grace is such a powerful and beautiful thing to consider. We are all recipients of God’s amazing grace. Whether we are a believer or not, we all experience His grace.

A simple definition of grace is God’s unmerited favor and love extended to the unworthy. More elaborate detail and definition could be given, but for our present discussion we will use that simple statement to guide our thoughts. In my previous post attention was given to sola fide – faith alone. However, special notice should be given to the verse quoted above (the same verse from the post on faith). Grace, embraced by faith, is the means by which we are saved. It is not by works, it is solely the gift of God. It is, indeed, His unmerited favor and love extended to us.

God always takes the initiative in bringing about one’s salvation. Jesus made this crystal clear when He said that He had come for the purpose of seeking and saving the lost (Luke 19:10).

For the Son of man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.

He takes the initiative. No one is seeking Him. Being dead in trespasses and sins means that we are totally unable to come to Jesus. Were it not for the drawing, life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, who quickens us (brings us to life spiritually), enabling us to understand spiritual truth, and the Son of God taking the initiative in extending grace to the unworthy, none would ever be saved.

Another personal story shared by one of my readers shows how powerful this saving grace is, and how it reaches to the depths of human behavior. Read slowly and carefully the testimony of Donnie Helms:

I didn’t come from a happy home. My parents hated each other and that hatred was physically manifested on several occasions. My mother did take my brother and me to church every Sunday morning and evening, and most every Wednesday, but there was no Christian atmosphere at home. My daddy was cold to religion and the church. He went out of his way to avoid preachers and anyone who had anything to do with church. He called my mother a hypocrite, and rightfully so. She wasn’t exactly a Proverbs 31 woman. To him, her actions only served to reinforce his beliefs about church and religion. They divorced in 73/74. In 76, my brother and I went to live with our dad.

In April of 77, my daddy surrendered his life to the Lord, and from that point on we were in church every time the doors were open. It was a hollering type of church, (No snakes), and once saved always saved was not taught. As a teenager I found myself camped out on the brink of hell. I was having to get saved every other Sunday. When I got to my mid-twenties, I had had enough of church, preachers, and anyone who called themselves a Christian and I, along with my second wife, walked away from the church and God. Two years later, in July of 93, our marriage ended. That’s when I began to plunge deeper into my sin than I had ever done before. At the house I was dad. Away from the house I wasn’t! And every other weekend was spent in pursuit of the next conquest. But even in the midst of my debauchery, people were praying for me and God was listening.

Fast forward to late October, early November 1997. My choice to continue living a sinful life caught up with me. My ex-wife informed me that she was moving to Tennessee and taking my youngest two children with her and there was nothing I could do to stop her. Dealing with her was like bailing water on the Titanic, it was a nightmare, as was my sinful lifestyle. I was miserable and her breaking news did just that, it broke me. After I got off the phone with her I walked outside and said “God! Please don’t take my children from me. I’ll stop living the way I’m living and will go to church, just please don’t take them from me.” Now please note: This is the first time I’ve prayed in years. And also take note: I didn’t ask Jesus to save me. I was bargaining with God!

Two or three days later, my ex called me and told me that her plans had changed and she was not going to Tennessee. The next Sunday we went to church. My thought was “Ok God! I’m holding up my end of the bargain.” But God!!! The next Sunday, November 16, 1997, this broken man fell down at the front pew of Faith Baptist Church in Lilesville, NC, and surrendered to the Lordship of Christ. I prayed Lord, I give up! But it can’t be like it was before. I’m all in! I totally surrender my life to you. I had no idea that God was going to right then, confirm for me that He was now in control of my life.

After the pastor had prayed for me, he asked me to stand up in front of everyone as a public profession of faith. I did NOT want to stand up in front of people who for the most part I did not know. Please understand! I took zeros in high school because I would not stand before a room full of people and give a 3 minute presentation. This for me was a big deal. But God!!!

He said you don’t have to say anything just stand up and let me introduce you. Reluctantly I did, and after he said everything he had to say, he turned to me and said, “Brother, is there anything you want to say?” My mouth flew open and I began to speak. I knew right then something radically wonderful had happened to me.

And now, I stand before people every Sunday and preach the gospel. Only God!!!

Rev. Donnie Helms, Pastor, North Wadesboro Baptist Church, Wadesboro, NC

Grace! Wonderful, powerful, saving grace! Of course, grace extends to all of life. God gives grace to face the difficulties in life, as we learn from Paul after he prayed multiple times for God to remove his “thorn in the flesh”. God told Paul that He would not remove it, but that His grace would be sufficient to live with it. God’s grace is operative in our lives every moment of every day. We are the beneficiaries of His grace and should be eternally grateful for this amazing gift. Why not take some time right now to thank Him for His amazing grace.

Until next time:

Blessings!