Confessions: The Grace of God

We gather today to consider one of the most profound mysteries of our faith: the grace of God. This grace, which is the unmerited favor of God toward sinners, is the foundation of our salvation and the source of all spiritual transformation. Through the lens of my own experience and the testimony of Scripture, we will explore how this grace operates in the human heart.

Grace is God's unmerited favor toward those who deserve His wrath. It is not something we can earn, merit, or deserve. It flows from God's love and mercy, freely given to those who are utterly undeserving. This grace is the foundation of our salvation, for "by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).

I can testify to the power of God's grace from my own life. For many years, I lived in sin and rebellion against God. I pursued worldly pleasures and philosophical systems that led me away from the truth. But God, in His infinite mercy, did not abandon me to my sin. He pursued me with His grace, drawing me to Himself through the prayers of my mother and the preaching of His Word.

"You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you." This truth I discovered through bitter experience. My heart was restless because it was seeking satisfaction in created things rather than in the Creator. I sought pleasure in sin, knowledge in philosophy, and meaning in worldly pursuits, but none of these could satisfy the deep longing of my soul.

God's grace has the power to transform even the most hardened heart. When grace enters the soul, it begins a work of transformation that continues throughout the believer's life. It changes our desires, our thoughts, our actions, and our character. It makes us new creatures in Christ, conforming us to His image.

The relationship between grace and free will is a mystery that has occupied the minds of theologians for centuries. God's grace does not destroy human freedom but enables it. Grace works in us to will and to work according to His good pleasure. It is God who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

God's grace is not only sufficient for our initial conversion but also for our continued sanctification. The same grace that saves us also sanctifies us, keeping us in the faith and working in us to produce the fruit of the Spirit. This grace will ultimately bring us to glory, for "he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).

The church is the community of those who have experienced God's grace. It is through the church that God continues to dispense His grace through the preaching of the Word, the administration of the sacraments, and the fellowship of believers. In the church, we find encouragement, correction, and support as we grow in grace.

How should we respond to God's grace? With gratitude, worship, and obedience. Gratitude for the gift of salvation we did not deserve. Worship for the God who has shown us such mercy. Obedience to the One who has redeemed us at such great cost. Our lives should be a continual offering of thanksgiving for His grace.

Understanding God's grace should motivate us to share the gospel with others. If we have experienced the transforming power of grace, we should desire others to experience it as well. We should be ambassadors of grace, proclaiming the good news of God's love and mercy to a world that desperately needs it.

In the end, all glory belongs to God for His grace. We have nothing to boast about, for our salvation is entirely the work of His grace. "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:31). The glory of grace is that it exalts God and humbles man, bringing us to our knees in worship and adoration.

Let us examine our hearts today. Have we truly experienced God's grace? Are we living in gratitude for His mercy? Are we growing in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ? Let us pray that God would continue to work His grace in us, transforming us more and more into the image of His Son.