Purpose and Grace

“We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus.” 2 Timothy 1:9, Message.

With every purpose God gives us, He provides the grace to fulfill it. Just as our salvation had nothing to do with our works, so it is with the purpose and grace God assigns to our lives. You cannot earn your purpose or God’s grace, nor can you disqualify yourself from receiving it. It is a gift of God. It is a gem of understanding that you find when you learn your true identity in Christ. When you discover who you really are in Him, you discover purpose, which is the answer to why you are here and what you were put here to do. However, that’s not all you find in searching for your true identity in Christ. You also find how you will accomplish what you are put here to do. You discover grace.

I encourage you to not leave the presence of God having received your marching orders and your assignment, without receiving the grace to complete it. God doesn’t expect you to save the world by yourself using your own methods, ideas, strategies, or strength. If you search a little deeper and go a little farther, you’ll find that just as His purpose for your life completely blew your mind, His amazing grace can bring you to your knees in gratitude also. God doesn’t just want you to succeed. He wants you to succeed well and in grand style. So receive the full and complete package. Open the whole gift. Let God wrap your heart around the true meaning of purpose and grace.

Prayer: Father God, help me wrap my heart around the true meaning of Your grace. Help me discover more and more about your purpose for my life and the grace that closely accompanies it. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.