In Christianity, grace is God’s undeserved favor. It grace abounds for us when we commit to the sanctification process by renewing our minds.
It helps me to list my inadequacies and then write down that the power of God’s grace is sufficient beside each one. My faith is energized by grace to deflect the darts of condemnation from the devil.
Apostle Paul discovered that in his weakness the power of God was strong on his behalf.
2
Corinthians 12:9 KJV (emphasis added)
“‘And
He said to me [Paul], “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is
made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in
my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.’”
My faith is
energized when I “hear” the word of God. The challenge is saying it out loud in
faith and not necessarily feeling or seeing an immediate impact. I am accustomed
to giving and receiving almost simultaneously.
When I
receive a bill, I pay it electronically. When I hurt, I take a pain pill. However,
in the kingdom of God, I have grace to sustain me until I see the manifestation
of my prayers.
It is hard to
accept that there are no quick fixes that will change my
inner self without the word of God. Therefore, when I grow in grace, my faith
grows as well. Grace requires a hands-off approach to the things I cannot
change. I must renew my mind to believe that the Lord is working His Grace for
a godly outcome.
For example,
when I do something wrong, Holy Spirit convicts me. Grace is when He allows me
to repent. Then, He helps me find scripture(s) to read and repeat that will
change my spirit and lifestyle.
I must remember
that God’s grace abounds more where there is more sin (Romans 5:20).
Romans
5:20-21 NKJV (emphasis added)
“Moreover
the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so, grace might reign through righteousness to
eternal life through Jesus Christ my Lord.”
Abound – thrives, flourishes, prospers,
proliferates, overflows, be plentiful, be abundant.
If I substitute the words in the above definition for “abound,” my spirit rejoices to know how much grace my heavenly Father has provided for me every day.
Grace outruns and passes by
sin to win the contest for my soul.
I have a
mental picture of dying and sin delivering me to death for an eternity in hell. However,
because of Jesus, Grace rules over sin through righteousness and delivers me to eternal life in heaven.
Another example
is that of a king who reigns in his kingdom. Sin’s kingdom is the death, and it
gives its citizens eternal death. However, Grace’s kingdom is Righteousness
from a greater King Jesus, and it gives its citizens eternal life.
Therefore, I
live in the kingdom of grace with all my imperfections. And grace continually
transforms me into the image (likeness) of Jesus Christ.
Practicing the Transformation Process
- Read the Bible aloud as often as I can. Holy Spirit brings the scriptures back to my memory when they are needed.
- Read aloud specific scriptures to change specific attitudes and behaviors. There are scriptures for every bad attitude and behavior, especially in Proverbs and the teachings of Jesus.
- Pray the scriptures by putting my name as the person. Example: “I [Rena] am crucified with Christ.
Galatians
2:20 NKJV
"I [my name] have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I
who live, but Christ lives in me; and the [life] which I now live in the flesh
I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me [my name] and gave Himself for
me [my name].
- Read books by other believers who have walked the path of renewing the mind.
- Fellowship with genuine followers of Jesus. Everyone who followed Jesus was not a disciple.