For it is by God’s grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God’s gift, so that no one can boast about it. —Ephesians 2:8-9 GNT
The first time I heard the phrase, “fight for Grace”, I thought it was slightly weird. However, as the preacher explained himself, I saw where he was coming from. I think I understood it because sometimes I see myself getting carried away by the things I do for the Church and the Kingdom.
Sometimes, as Christians, we put the grace of God aside and want to focus, boast and rest on works and services we are involved in, this could be the ministries, such as singing, evangelism, prayer, etc.
These works and ministries are necessary and need to be done, but they are not meant to replace our salvation. We are saved to do good deeds but doing good deeds does not aid our salvation. The works we do are services offered as a sacrifice of love to Christ for all He has done for us. Doing these services will not get us to heaven or access to God; it is accepting the free gift of Christ that will do that. Our service is secondary in comparison to the gift of Christ.
This brings me to the parable of Jesus about the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18. The Pharisee was sure that he was acceptable before God because of his many duties, such as fasting, paying his tithes, giving to the poor and so on. He, therefore, looked down on the tax collector, thinking himself superior. While the tax collector, on the other hand, did the opposite:
“But the tax collector stood at a distance and would not even raise his face to heaven, but beat on his breast and said, ‘God, have pity on me, a sinner!’ ‘I tell you,’ said Jesus, ‘the tax collector, and not the Pharisee, was in the right with God when he went home…” Luke 18:13 – 14 (GNT)
Likewise, in Acts 10, Cornelius was a very religious gentile who did a great deal of good deeds, but God knew that wasn’t enough to get Cornelius to heaven.
“He stared at the angel in fear and said, ‘What is it, sir?’ The angel answered, ‘God is pleased with your prayers and works of charity, and is ready to answer you. And now send some men to Joppa for a certain man whose full name is Simon Peter.” Acts 10: 4 – 5 (GNT)
God saw and appreciated Cornelius’ effort to get close to Him and provided the way to make it possible through Peter. Peter presented Cornelius and his household with the gospel of Jesus Christ. They not only received Christ as their Lord and Saviour, but on that same day, they were filled with the Spirit of God.
So, what we do for the Lord is important. However, let’s fight to keep the Grace of God our main focus, as Grace through Christ Jesus is our only ticket to God and heaven.
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 