Posted June 1, 2017 under Blog

Grace: A Power That Works

Grace works even if you don’t realize it.

This is one of the most important things we need to understand in our faith journey. Grace is abundant and it’s a power that works in us and through us when we acknowledge our need for it.

In Exodus, we can read about the story of two men named Bezalel and Oholiab who were empowered by grace to be the artists God has called them to be, and to effectively do the tasks laid out for them.

Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you: the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law with the atonement cover on it, and all the other furnishings of the tent— the table and its articles, the pure gold lampstand and all its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, the basin with its stand— and also the woven garments, both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests, and the anointing oil and fragrant incense for the Holy Place. They are to make them just as I commanded you.” Exodus 31:1-11

In verse 3 of this passage, to be filled with the Spirit of God, means to be empowered by His grace.  Bezalel and Oholiab were empowered by grace.

When God chooses us to do something for Him and when we choose to take part in what He is doing, He is more than willing and able to fill us with His grace to enable us to accomplish His will. Through it, we are able to be who He wants us to be and do what He wants us to do.

Empowered by grace

Grace is a potent and powerful force that moves you to recognize His will, enables you to obey Him, and gives you the ability to do His work. All throughout the Bible, men and women, who chose to hear God’s call and obey Him, were all able to fulfill their destinies because of God’s grace.

Because of God’s grace, Abraham and Sarah were able to bear a son whose lineage will include the Savior and the King of Kings, Jesus Christ, and whose descendants will form the nation of Israel.  

Joseph rose to the governorship, a position impossible for him to attain, if not because of God’s grace moving in and throughout every step of his life

Paul and Barnabas, according to Acts 14:3, were able to do perform signs and wonders and speak boldly for the Lord because of grace.

In my own life, I’ve met and been great friends with a couple who by grace were able to heed God’s call in their lives.

In 1984, as a young campus missionary in his 20's, my mentor and friend Steve Murrell together with his wife Deborah, chose to stay in the Philippines after a one month summer missions trip. God led them to plant a church at the middle of University Belt. This act of obedience to do God’s will was the seed for the church now known as Victory Philippines. This church has since trained thousands of pastors and missionaries to honor God and make disciples.

It was a time when staying in the Philippines for an American couple, who’s never been to the Philippines before, at a very unstable time in its history, can only be caused and sustained by the grace of God.

These stories prove to be the same to what Bezalel and Oholiab experienced: God chooses His people to do something, and they choose to be part of His plan, then He fills them with His grace. Through it, they are able to be who He wants them to be and do what He wants them to do.

Grace is available for you

Remember this: No matter how daunting your task or challenge is, grace is available. It’s your response to your needs and your cares that would either bring grace to your life or otherwise.

Do we respond to the treadmill of the flesh? Striving to do things on our own and relying on our own strength? Or do we respond to the grace God has made available for us?

“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it,” Ephesians 4:7 says.

No matter what your need is—salvation for your family, restoration of a relationship, health, financial provision, or direction for your career or ministry—grace has been apportioned for you.

2 Corinthians 12:9 declares that God’s grace is sufficient for you and for me.

Will you have the humility to say, “Lord, I need your grace.”? 

The grace of God has appeared and offered salvation for all people (Titus 2:11). The power of God’s grace has saved you from eternal destruction. But it goes beyond salvation, it also empowers you to do His will.

The things you face in life is designed to cause you to be more like Christ. It’s up to us to choose if we will respond to it in the flesh or respond to it by God’s grace and become more like His Son.

Grace is a power that’s not limited to the things we do in church, but it’s available to us in any and every situation.

Once again:

When God chooses us to do something for Him and we choose to take part in His plan, He is more than willing and able to fill us with His grace. Through it, we are able to be who He wants us to be, and do what He wants us to do.

Today, know full well that God wants to enable everyone with His grace every second of our life.

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