Revelation 22:21
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
I greet you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. Today, I would like to share a devotional with you on a topic that has
been a point of contention in many Christian circles. The topic is grace, and how
we can avoid disputes about grace.
Grace is an integral part of our Christian faith. It is the
unmerited favour of God, the love and mercy given to us by God because God
desires us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it. Grace
is the divine help or strength given through the love and mercy of Jesus
Christ. It is His generous gift to us, and it is by grace that He has saved us.
However, it is unfortunate that grace, which unites us,
often becomes a point of contention amongst us. We argue about the extent of
grace, the recipients of grace, and the conditions of grace. We divide
ourselves into camps and draw lines in the sand over our interpretations of
grace. This is not what God intended.
The Apostle Paul, in his second letter to Timothy, warned
against quarrelling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who
listen (2 Timothy 2:14). When we argue about grace, we are doing exactly what
Paul warned against. We are quarrelling about words and concepts, and, we are
causing division and strife within the body of Christ.
So, how can we avoid these disputes about grace?
First, we remember that our understanding of grace is
limited. We are finite beings trying to comprehend an infinite God. As the
prophet Isaiah reminds us, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither
are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher
than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your
thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9). We must approach grace with humility,
recognising that our understanding will always be incomplete.
Second, we must focus on the essence of grace. Grace is
about God's love and mercy towards us. It is about God reaching out to us,
despite our flaws and failures. Instead of arguing about the specifics of
grace, let us focus on the heart of grace. Let us focus on the fact that God
loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us.
Third, we must strive for unity. The Apostle Paul urged the
Ephesians to "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through
the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3). We must do the same. We must
prioritise unity over winning an argument. We remember we are all part of the
body of Christ, and when one-part hurts, the whole-body hurts.
Finally, we remember that grace is a gift. It is not
something we earn or deserve. It is something God gives us out of His love for
us. We should be grateful for this gift, not argue about it.
In conclusion, let us remember that grace is a beautiful and
profound aspect of our faith. Let us not tarnish it with unnecessary disputes.
Instead, let us celebrate it, be grateful for it, and strive to live it out in
our daily lives.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You today as a body of
believers, seeking Your divine wisdom and clarity on the doctrine of grace. We
acknowledge, Lord, that we need Your guidance to fully comprehend and
appreciate the depth of Your grace, the magnitude of Your love, and the extent
of Your mercy.
Father, often; we have allowed our limited understanding to
create division and confusion within our church community. We have allowed our
interpretations and perceptions of grace to become points of contention rather
than sources of unity and fellowship. Forgive us, Lord, for these moments of
weakness and guide us towards a better understanding of Your divine grace.
Lord, we pray for clarity. Illuminate our minds, Lord, so
that we may perceive the true essence of Your grace. Help us understand that
grace is not a reward for our good deeds, but a gift freely given out of Your
abundant love. Help us understand that grace is not a privilege for a select
few, but a blessing intended for all Your children.
In addition, Father, we pray for unity. Despite our varying
perspectives, help us remember we are all part of one body — the body of
Christ. Let not our differences divide us, but let them enrich our shared
understanding and experience of Your grace. Teach us to approach discussions
about grace with humility, respect, and a willingness to learn from one
another.
God, we ask for Your Spirit to guide us in all our
deliberations. May we season our conversations with love and truth. May we
always strive to uphold the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Help
us remember we are all recipients of Your grace, united in our need for Your
mercy and love.
Last, Lord, we pray for a spirit of gratitude. Help us
appreciate the gift of grace, to celebrate it, and to share it with others. May
our lives be a testament to Your grace, a reflection of Your love, and a beacon
of hope to those around us.
We thank You, Lord, for Your grace that saves us, Your love
that sustains us, and Your mercy that renews us. We pray that as we delve
deeper into the doctrine of grace, we will grow in our understanding,
strengthen our unity, and deepen our love for You and for one another. In
Jesus' name. Amen.