GRACE WINSUzorak

Jesus is described in many different ways, and often in the modern day church we will describe Jesus as our Lord and Savior—and He most definitely is our Lord and our Savior. On the cross He saved us from a life of sin and death, and grace won! When we respond to the cross and receive Christ into our lives, He becomes our Lord. And yet, there are other ways of knowing Him too, which help us better grasp who He is. 

Jesus is also known as the Healer. In His ministry, He was first revealed to humanity as a healer. He came to heal humanity from sickness, bondage, and oppression. He was called “the healer” because that’s what He had done up to that point in time. We call Him Savior because He saved us on the cross—that’s what He has done. But the grace that won on the cross is an empowering grace. It is not a one-time wonder but a grace that extends forward into the future and back into the past. It is a grace that empowers us to live our lives ushering the Kingdom of heaven into the world around us. Grace is not simply a cleansing, but it is the ability to live our day-to-day lives empowered and set free to honor God and obey the Holy Spirit’s leading.  

Jesus has saved, healed, and delivered us. He came not just to ensure that we have eternal life with Him and our sins are atoned for, but He also came to give us full recovery in life and to provide for our full healing and restoration. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and life to the full.” (NIV) Jesus is the healer of our lives. 

But Jesus did not just come to give us full recovery and healing; He came to give us full victory! He came to deliver us into new life. The Bible says in 1 John 5:4, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (NIV) It is our faith in the truth that grace has alreadywon that will bring the victory. It is our faith that the power of sin and death has been defeated that will bring victory into our lives and the lives of those around us. 

Often we naively think, “If it’s already been won then why aren’t I living in victory?” Jesus desires relationship and intimacy with us, and it’s relationship with Him that is the victory! So when we lean into God’s love through the trials of life, we find ourselves discovering the true victory—relationship with Him. Grace won and gave us friendship and intimacy with God, and it is within this glorious friendship that we are saved, healed, and delivered.

- Georgie Kelsey

As you continue this devotional, please follow along in the Passion Translation for daily scriptures.