Walking in Grace & Mercy Out of Stuff, Struggles, & SinSample

Access by Faith...

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

God’s grace and mercy are relentlessly pursuing us all the days of our lives (Ps. 23:6). Nevertheless, like a beautifully wrapped present given to us, if we fail to untie the ribbon, unwrap the gift, and truly receive it as our own, God’s grace and mercy can be that unopened gift that we never fully realize.

The answer to opening and applying what the Lord Jesus has extraordinarily supplied is simple. We access His grace and mercy by faith.

It often seems our journey with Jesus would be a whole lot easier if we could just do something. This faith stuff can really trip us up. However, just like every aspect of our journey in Him, faith is the prerequisite for opening and appropriating His lavish gifts.

Receiving His grace and mercy are no different. Even if our faith seems almost non-existent, especially in regard to our struggles with areas of weakness. At some point, we must ruthlessly begin to trust God’s Word no matter what our feelings or thoughts tell us otherwise. Then, guilt and condemnation have no hold, and we can fix our attention upon the Holy Spirit’s delivering work within us and by whatever means He leads us. These are our first steps out of our struggles, stuff, and sin.

Faith requires a relationship, and no one can live our relationship with God for us. We come to trust His Word concerning grace and mercy as we grow in our confidence in Him personally. Not just by attending Sunday morning services or watching pastors online, but by cultivating day-in, day-out personal intimacy with our Father and with His Word.

The Bible declares that the only way we can fall from God’s grace is when we don’t believe it (Gal 5:4-5). A fall from grace is not when we sin but when we choose to forget accessing His grace by faith, choosing instead to trust in our ability to work for it or earn it.

We must start somewhere. Even if your faith seems not enough – it is. Choose to radically believe what God’s Word states about His grace and mercy. Look to Jesus completely. Listen for His direction to you personally. Begin stepping into His life-transforming freedom.

What spoke to you most from this study?

Was this plan helpful? It was adapted from Refresh - Transformed Thoughts, Emotions, and Lives, by Sue Boldt