"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." (Eph.2:8).
We began our Christian life - receiving forgiveness of sins and the baptism in the Spirit - by grace, through faith. One day when Jesus Christ our Lord returns in glory, we will be caught up to meet Him in the air. That too will be by grace and through faith. So, the beginning and the end of our Christian life on earth are by grace and through faith. What we need to learn is that everything in between, is also to be received on the same principle. By grace, through faith, we can overcome everything evil, and fulfill our God- appointed task on earth. God knows all the future. There is nothing that is going to happen to us tomorrow or next week or next year that can surprise God. He knows the end from the beginning. This should give us great comfort. For if God knows that you are going to be faced with a massive trial or temptation tomorrow or next week, He will certainly give you grace to cope with it.
The Lord told Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."(2 Cor.12:9). His grace IS sufficient for every need. "God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed." (2 Cor.9:8). Grace is available in abundance to help us in our time of need. "Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need." (Heb.4:16). Whatever your need might be, God's grace is available to help you meet it. We are therefore invited to come BOLDLY to the throne of grace to receive that grace. We have been defeated in the past, because we have not received that grace. The story can be different in the future. If we humble ourselves and cry out for grace in our time of need, God will not disappoint us.
The Bible says that those who receive abundance of grace will reign in life through Jesus Christ. "For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more then those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ." (Rom.5:17). That was God's will for Adam - that he might have dominion and rule over everything. Genesis 1:26 says, "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and LET THEM RULE over all the earth.'" Adam's disobedience prevented that from being fulfilled in his life. But now God has raised up a new race on earth - the sons of God who live by faith in Jesus Christ - who are to live with the dignity of kings, and reign on earth.
No sin need any longer have dominion over you, if you will humble yourself and receive God's grace. No fear or anxiety need ever again enter your heart. No one on earth can make life miserable for you any more - not your boss, not your neighbour, not your relatives, not your enemies and not Satan. Thanks be to God Who always leads us in His triumph in Christ. How wonderful it is to live under God's New Covenant of grace! The promised land lies open before you!
Go in and possess it!
