Continue In Grace

Acts 13:43

“Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas who, speaking to them were urging them to continue in the grace of God.”

Grace is an interesting word. Strong’s lexicon has the following definition of it: “good will, loving-kindness, favour, the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues”[1].

God’s grace is appropriated in our lives in many ways. First I’m reminded of Eph. 2:8-9 which says “By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation or an intimate relationship with God. It is all by His grace. It is impossible to work or earn our way to heaven.

The best example of grace in the Bible is our Lord Jesus Christ. II Cor. 8:9 explains “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” We are rich because of the spiritual inheritance we have in Christ.

I’m reminded of the importance of grace in our lives when I read II Cor. 12:9. Paul had asked God to remove a “thorn in the flesh” and God’s response was “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness”. Some of us, like Paul have such strong personalities that God chooses to impact our lives in a way that causes us to constantly be reminded of God’s grace. It is sufficient for all our needs.
Finally, notice Paul’s exhortation to “continue in the grace of God”. We have a choice. Often we choose to live our lives in a legalistic manner rather than in God’s grace. We continue in God’s grace by submitting to His will on a moment by moment basis and by confessing our sins as soon as we recognize them in our lives. God can only fulfill His will for us as we live gracefully.

[1]Strong, J. 1996. Enhanced Strong's Lexicon . Woodside Bible Fellowship: Ontario