Growing in Grace

“We cannot realize this goal on our own.  But there is no need for that. God has made provision for achieving this aim. To ‘grow in grace’ means to utilize more and more grace to live by, until everything we do is assisted by grace… The greatest saints are not those who need less grace, but those who consume the most grace, who indeed are most in need of grace—those who are saturated by grace in every dimension of their being. Grace to them is like breath.” - Dallas Willard, excerpted from Renovation of the Heart

Thus far, we’ve explored the beauty that, in Christ, we can genuinely be transformed and changed into the sort of people God can empower, by grace, to love our enemies, bless those who make us angry, and give freely, knowing God provides in his Kingdom. We pause now to catch our breath and focus on the constant current that keeps our transformation into Christlikeness moving: grace, and plenty of it.

This life of transformation into Christlikeness doesn’t have fancy formulas, instead it is a constant recognition of God and the resources of his Kingdom, which are available to those who accept the invitation. God does not set the stage for his followers to fail. He would not call us to be obedient followers of Jesus if it weren’t possible. God has given his people—past, present, and future—the gifts and graces to follow him.

As we continue, these gifts and graces will become clearer. If we intend to make progress in growing in grace, it requires the serious undertaking of seeking God’s grace in our day-to-day life; constantly allowing God to shape us on the Potter’s wheel.

Reflection

What has grace typically meant to you?

Prayer

God, growing can be hard. There are starts and stops. You lovingly invite us to come and learn how to be formed and shaped into your image. Help us to move beyond the discouragement of past failures. Instead, give us the vision, a taste, of what life to the fullest can look like in you. In Jesus’ beautiful name, Amen.