Grace is transformative and transforming. Grace is at the core of our spiritual center. Grace is created through love, the empowering force that moves us to love. In his book Immortal Diamond: The Search for our True Selves, Father Richard Rohr writes:

“Basically, grace is God’s first name, and probably last too. Grace is what God does to keep all things he has made in love and alive – forever. Grace is God’s official job description. Grace is not something God gives; grace is who God is ... an unexplainable goodness is at work in the universe.”

Made in the image and likeness of God, we mirror God's grace to the world. As new creations through Christ, as followers of “The Way,” all that we are and strive to become is grounded in grace. Paul wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of your own doing; it is the gift of God, not the result of works, so no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Embracing this reality I share with you nine great benefits of grace that a good friend once shared with me:

• We’re saved by grace. The way into a transforming relationship with our God is through the doorway of grace. You can’t earn it. You can’t work for it. You can’t buy it. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

• We’re forgiven by grace. Though we don’t deserve it, God wipes our slate clean by God’s grace. (Isaiah 43:25)

• We’re sustained by grace. God will never ask you to do anything God doesn’t give you the ability and the power to do. That power and ability is called grace. (Philippians 2:13)

• We’re healed by grace. God heals our broken hearts and binds up our wounds even though we don’t deserve it. (Psalm 147:3)

• We’re liberated by grace. Our relationship with Jesus isn’t a bunch of chores to do. Instead it’s about resting in what the Lord has already done. If your Christian life is not a life of resting in Christ, you’re moving into legalism. (Matthew 11:28-30)

• We’re given talents by grace. God has given each of us the ability to do something well, and we’re to use those abilities for God. (Romans 12:6)

• We’re used by grace. God uses us to fulfill God’s purposes in this world, not because of anything we’ve done but simply through God’s grace. (Ephesians 3:7)

• We’re transformed by grace. Through God’s grace, God makes us new through the renewing of our mind. (Romans 12:2)

• We’re matured by grace. God’s work of making us more like Jesus happens not because we’ve earned it or by our own effort but by the grace of God. (2 Peter 3:18)

As the great hymn proclaims: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound ... ‘tis grace that hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”

I look forward to seeing you in church.

Through Christ,

Pastor Doug Johns