Scripture Reference: l Corinthians 15:10
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been in vain. In fact, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God with me” (NET)
When you get to the end of the day, and as you've put in a hard day’s work, be thankful for the fruit God has deposited to your account. Never forget that it is by God’s grace and God’s grace alone that blessings come to His children and when we finally lay our head down on the bed, we do so with the knowledge that it was all because of Christ, and His amazing grace in our lives.
NOTHING Trumps The Grace of God
If ever there was a subject I could talk about from morning to night, without tiring, it would be the “grace of God.” Every believer who has experienced God’s gift of salvation has done so only because of God’s Amazing Grace!
Paul was an apostle–the Apostle to the Gentiles. He traveled extensively, proclaiming the gospel to all who would listen, Jew and Gentile alike. He wrote nearly half of the New Testament books. And he suffered tremendously for the sake of the gospel, ultimately facing death for his Lord. Few in the history of the church have made as much impact on the church as Paul did.
Who Gets the Credit?
Yet his work as an apostle, evangelist, church planter, author, and martyr did not go to his head. He took no credit for what he was able to accomplish. Instead, he gave the credit where it belonged. To God who had enabled him.
It was by the grace of God that Paul had become what he was, not because he was somehow more talented or gifted than other people. And God’s grace to Paul was not in vain. Paul took the grace God had given him, and he used it fully, working hard in his service to the Lord. But in his work and accomplishments, he gave all the credit to God and his grace. Paul went on to become the greatest missionary the world has ever known.
Don't Let His Grace to You Be in Vain
What was true for Paul should be true for each of us who have given our lives to the Lord Jesus. It is by the grace of God that I can write these words you are reading, and not because there is anything special about me. The credit belongs to him. My responsibility is to not let his grace to me be in vain–to work hard for him. Yet even that is enabled by God’s grace.
If you are a child of God, he has given his grace to you, enabling you to serve him in some way. Be faithful to his calling and enabling in your life. Don’t let his grace to you be in vain. By the grace of God, be who he has graciously equipped you to be.
A Little History
One of the mottos or “solas” associated with the sixteenth-century Reformation is the Latin phrase post tenebras lux (“after darkness, light”).
In contrast with the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church, the Reformers saw themselves as rediscovering the light of the gospel of Christ. This doctrine has been traditionally summarized under the five solas of the Reformation. One of these solas is the Latin term sola gratia (“grace alone”).
For the Reformers, the doctrine of sola gratia was critical to a right and fully biblical understanding of salvation in Christ. For example, Martin Luther (1483–1546) put it quite clearly: “But no man can be thoroughly humbled until he knows that his salvation is utterly beyond his own powers, devices, endeavors, will, and works, and depends entirely on the choice, will, and work of another, namely, of God alone . . . then he has come close to grace, and can be saved.”
In fact, for Luther and the rest of the Reformers, every corruption of the doctrine of sola gratia subtly smuggles human effort through the back door. It is for this reason that a proper understanding of sola gratia is extremely important for Christians today. The purity of the gospel hangs in the balance..
Why should we care about “Grace Alone”?
So, why does any of this matter? Because it is core to the gospel! Your understanding of this doctrine comes as a direct result of your understanding of the Fall and man’s depravity. The doctrine of grace alone draws us back to what Adam lost for all humanity: communion with God. To restore this lost fellowship, God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for our sin.
Being a perfect judge, God cannot overlook sin, thus Christ’s sacrifice. Like the common Christian acronym for grace says, it is truly “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.” We get everything we do not deserve because Jesus bore our sin. That is why this doctrine matters!
Hymnology: By Grace Alone
Songs of old that speak about the matchless grace of God really moves my soul. All my life I have loved Gospel music, an in saying that I’ve always had a deep fondness for the ˆˆhymns of old” rather than the modern day Christian music. One of my favorite hymn writers is the 17th century pastor and song-writer, Issac Watts.
He penned some of my favorite hymns.
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.
I Sing the Mighty Power of God.
Joy to the World! The Lord Is Come.
O God, Our Help In Ages Past.
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.
I take nothing away from 21st century worship and praise music as many Christians love the more modern beat and tune. Personally, for me to enjoy a song, it’s all about the words, period. There are so many songs sung today that have catchy ;lyrics, but honestly, I can’t understand a word. That type of music doesn’t do much for me.
I know I’m probably different from a good percentage of Christians today, but I’ve always gravitated toward the amazing “hymns of old,” – many of which date back hundreds of years. I love looking at the history and hymnology of a particular song. Countless old hymns have inspiring stories about the development of the hymn and the hymn writer. I may have gotten this from my dad.
For years he would go down to the Union Gospel Mission every month or so when it was his church’s turn to deliver the message. Dad would always gladly lead the singing. He had a standard practice that I always looked forward to. He would announce the hymn and before we started singing, he would give a couple minute introduction about the hymns history and a little about its author. I learned things I would have never known had I not participated in those services.
Who doesn’t adore the famous song written by a former slave tracer, John Newton. His history, and subsequent conversion truly was a story of “Amazing Grace.”
Final Thought - The Story Of The Hymn "Grace Alone"
I admit that I don’t know much about modern day Christian artists. For whatever reason I didn't grow up attending Christian concerts. At least for me, every so often a song does come along that really “knocks it out of the park.” Such is the case with singer/songwriter, Dustin Kensrue.
Although I had never heard of him, it’s been reported that he has one of the most unique voices in the worship music landscape. First rising to fame as the frontman & lead guitarist of the popular alternative rock band “Thrice,” Kensrue's singing has an edge to it that lends power and emotion to his music, a trait that came with him as he began serving as a Worship Pastor and hymn writer.
Today he is part of a Christian group, “Kings Kaleidoscope.” In 2014 they produced an album “Becoming Who We Are.” I invite all of you to google the song“Grace Alone,” – by Kings Kaleidoscope. Although the melody is pleasing, it’s the words that make this a powerful song. If nothing else, pay close attention to the words.
Kings Kaleidoscope – "Grace Alone" Lyrics
I had no righteousness of my own
I had no right to draw near Your throne
But Father, You loved me still
And in love, before You laid the world’s foundation
You have raised me so high above my station
I’m a child of God by grace and grace alone
You left Your home to seek out the lost
You knew the great and terrible cost
But Jesus, Your face was set
I worked my fingers down to the bone
But nothing I did could ever atone
But Jesus, You paid my debt
By Your blood I have redemption and salvation
Lord, You died that I might reap what You have sown
And You rose that I might be a new creation
I am born again by grace and grace alone
I was in darkness all of my life
I never knew the day from the night
But, Spirit, You made me see
And I swore I knew the way on my own
A head full of rocks, a heart made of stone
But, Spirit, You moved in me
[Chorus 3]:
And at Your touch my sleeping spirit was awakened
On my darkened heart the light of Christ has shone
Called into a kingdom that cannot be shaken
Heaven’s citizen by grace and grace alone
So I’ll stand in faith by grace, and grace alone
I will run the race by grace and grace alone
I will slay my sins by grace and grace alone
I will reach the end by grace and grace alone
Thank you Lord for your unfathomable Grace; a grace undeserved; your unmerited favor granted to every believer who has come to you in genuine repentance. May we live each day with thankful hearts, never forgetting that EVERYTHING in our lives is because of “Grace Alone.” We give you all the glory, – Amen.
From: Fight the Good Fight of Faith / Life Journal: By Gregg Harris
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