The writer Phillip Yancey in his book ‘What’s so amazing about grace?’ says: ‘Grace comes free of charge to people who do not deserve it and I am one of those people... Now I am trying in my own small way to pipe the tune of grace. I do so because I know, more surely than I know anything, that any pang of healing or forgiveness or goodness I have ever felt comes solely from the grace of God.’

This sounds a lot like Paul in this second letter to Timothy. He is under no pretences; it is the grace-gift of God that we cling to. This lies at the heart of being a Christian. 

In verse 9 Paul writes that ‘He has saved us and called us to a holy life…’ Why? ‘…not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.’ We are rescued and we are set apart to shine the light of Jesus wherever we go… not because we are impressive, or successful, or popular… but because of his purposes and grace.

Put simply… because He loves us!

So often we can fall into the trap of thinking that God’s salvation and calling fluctuates depending on how we are ‘doing’ in the Christian life.

When things are going well and we see lots of fruit we might start thinking that we can make all this happen without God’s help.

When things are falling apart and we keep messing up we could think that we are no longer worthy of God’s love and attention.

But both of these modes of thinking are forgetting what is central to our faith… it’s all grace! It’s all a gift! In good times and bad God is for us and he is ready to pour out grace after grace in our life! What a wonderful saviour we have!

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Question:

If someone asked you what God’s grace looks like in your life, how would you respond?

Prayer:

Father, may I never lose the wonder of your grace and kindness to me. Thank you for Jesus. Thank you that I am saved. Thank you that you have called me by name. Amen.