By Mike Chaffin
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen. Galatians 6:18
Grace is why there is Christianity. The Bible says that by grace we are saved. (Ephesians 2:8-9). Furthermore, it plays a dual role in the believer.
Salvation is by grace which means it is the unmerited gift, or favor, given to us by Christ. Then his divine influence, the Holy Spirit, through that same grace, leads to our sanctification.
In the last word in Galatians Paul is speaking to the latter form; grace that leads to sanctification. The letter was aimed at people who had already accepted Christ as savior. But after you accept Christ as savior, what comes next?
We are called to live a holy life. The process is called sanctification. Sanctification is a lifelong process the Christian lives out while on earth. It is the process of purification, or of being holy. God calls all his children to be holy, for He is holy. In salvation we die to self, ask the Holy Spirit into our hearts, and learn to live a holy life, turning our backs on sin and selfishness.
When we have a question about our life in Christ, we ask God for wisdom and guidance. As the Good shepherd, as our Heavenly Father, He leads us and guides us, protects us, and disciplines us.
Sad thing is a lot of us lose the feeling Paul wishes us to have; “the grace of Lord Jesus Christ in our spirit.” That isn’t God’s fault. He is there for us and is patiently waiting for us to come back to Him. Call to Him and He, like the father in the story of the prodigal son, will run to meet you. He is just a prayer away.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that you cared enough for me to die for my sins and send your Holy Spirit to live in me to help me know how to respond to this life. You show me I can have the peace that passes all understanding even in the face of problems and persecution. Lord, refresh my spirit with your Holy Spirit. Renew me Lord so I can better serve you. In Jesus name, amen.
