Living in the Power of Grace

As followers of Jesus, we acknowledge that the path of holiness is narrow, but it is one we greatly desire to walk. This path not only benefits us, but it glorifies our Father. With each successful step, we get closer to hearing the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

The desire to have a successful walk with the Lord is often met with the reality of trials, temptations, and hardships of life that the Lord uses to stretch and mold us into the image of Christ.

It’s during these times that we need to know what God thinks of us as His children, and how He views what we often see as our numerous shortcomings. We must return to the Word and allow the Lord to remind us of who we are and the power of His grace.

It’s the gift of God’s grace that reassures us of our Father’s irrevocable, eternal view of His children. His perspective causes us to successfully walk along the path He has set before us.

“Those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through . . . Jesus. . . . Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign . . . through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:17–21)

Real transformation occurs when we change how we think. Through the Scripture, our minds are renewed with the truth, and we are able to stand victoriously in the battle to maintain a successful Christian walk. The key to living successfully in God’s grace is to realign our minds with His Word. We must see ourselves the way God sees us and relate to God on the basis of what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross.

As our mind is renewed, our emotions are transformed, resulting in changes in our behavior. Our emotions are not transformed by trying harder but by reading and believing the truth of God’s Word.

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)

As we see our lives through the lens of grace, we are equipped to walk in all that Jesus purchased for us.

God desires for us to fully experience what He freely provided on the cross. When we became believers, we were given access to God’s full measure of grace for our lives. Unfortunately, we don’t always use it on a daily basis.

When the enemy tries to accuse us about past sins or our own weakness and brokenness, we must access God’s grace through His Spirit within us. We can draw our minds to His Spirit and thank Him for what He has given us (Galatians 5:22–23).

Accessing that grace allows us to enjoy our position as His children, knowing we are empowered by the indwelling Spirit and submitted to Jesus’ merciful, generous leadership. We are fully able to resist sin, temptation, and every evil work through the power of the Spirit.

In God’s grace, we can walk free from sin, the constant accusation of the enemy, and the temptation to feel as if we have to earn God’s favor and positive opinion.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14)

God's grace is available to all believers to help us reign in life—knowing who we are, how God sees us, and how He’s empowered us to walk free from sin.

Which areas in your life is the Lord showing the transforming power of His grace?