By the Grace of God…

 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.—Titus 3:1-7

As I read the verses above one of my mom’s favorite sayings came to mind.  “But for the grace of God, there go I!”  I  really didn’t understand as a child what it meant, but I know that it did always remind me to be grateful.  Today, I prefer Paul’s words from 1 Corinthians 15:9-10

For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am…

Amen!  I am what I am by the grace of my God!  There is nothing good about me for which I can take the credit. All my boasting is in God.   I have been saved not by my own “works of righteousness” but according to His mercy.

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.—Ephesians 2:1-10

Father…Thank you for the exceeding riches of Your grace toward us in Your Son. Thank you for the kindness and love of Jesus, my Savior. Thank you for giving us Your Spirit to empower us, help us, dwell in us, bring us comfort, and abide with us forever. Search our hearts, Father, and show us any wrong attitudes. Grant us Your gentleness and humility in our dealings with others, especially those who do not yet believe, that perhaps they might come to the truth.  Help us to be like You were in this world…to make Your Son’s footsteps our pathway. You, God, are merciful, gracious, patient and kind.  Your sacrificial love speaks to all saying:

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”—Matthew 11:28-30

Beloved... By His precious Spirit then, be imitators of God..be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. It is the kindness, grace and love of Christ through the Spirit that has the power to change hearts and bring sinners to repentance. 

My soul shall make its boast in the LORD!  May the humble hear of it and be glad. In You I will boast all day long and I will give thanks to Your name forever.