Amazing Grace

 Greetings to  you all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,

     Ephesians 2:8-10 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:   Not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

     I have said at times, “I escaped by the skin of my teeth.”  I am usually referring to some calamity to happened to someone else, but it did not happen to me.  Of course, my teeth have no skin which further emphasizes the fact that I avoided danger simply by God’s hand.  I have heard people say also, “There but by the grace of God go I.”  I had one skin doctor look at my back full of spots and declare, “If you don’t get melanoma, it will be by the grace of God.”

     God’s grace truly is amazing.  We often sing the hymn, “Amazing Grace” and as we do,  it reflects our realization of the grace the God has shown to us in one way or anther, but especially in the area of salvation.  Men and women try to come up with their own way of salvation, but often come to the end of their quest only to declare that it is truly of God tha we are saved at all.  There is nothing in me or in any person that would warrant such a gift as that of salvation.  Paul exhorted the Ephesian saints by declaring  that this wonderful attribute is totally a gift of God and cannot be attained by any work no matter how hard we try.  There is a saying that appears on many plaques which goes, “The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you.”  God’s grace is sufficient for anything and any condition that might come into your life.   The Apostle Paul found this out when we prayed for the removal of his “thorn” in the flesh.  He prayed for its removal three times and God said “no.”   God went on, however, to declare, “My grace is sufficient for you.”  Men and women need to stop trying to do it their own way and accept what God has already accomplished for them.  There are certain things that take place in your life where you sincerely reply, “Thank you!”  This has to be one of them as grace is receiving something that you can not get yourself but only God can bestow such a wonderful gift.   The chorus of a hymn goes, “Thank you Lord for saving my soul, Thank you Lord for making me whole.  Thank you Lord for giving to me, Thy great salvation, so rich and free.”  Praise God today for the wonderful gift of His grace.  It truly is amazing.