February 6
Whatever you need
We have access by faith into this grace in which we stand... Romans 5:2 (NKJV)
In studying the many benefits we have by faith, we've seen that we've been given access to God. But it doesn't stop there. Not only are we given access to Almighty God, but we're also given direct access to His grace.
We need to make an important distinction here. Grace takes on two primary forms in the New Testament. First, there is saving grace. This is the undeserved favor of God that works on our behalf to save us from our sins. But there's also enabling grace. This is the undeserved and unlimited endowment of God's supernatural resources that enables us to be and do what He desires. In the verse above, it's enabling grace that's in view.
Enabling grace allows us to work out God's will for our lives. For example, when Paul repeatedly prayed that God would remove a thorn from his flesh, God responded by saying He wouldn't remove the thorn, but that He would give Paul the enabling grace necessary to sustain him through the trial. In Paul's weakness, God's strength would show up and carry him through (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
In that specific case, Paul needed strength, so God's grace took on the form of strength. But elsewhere we see that grace can take the shape of boldness (Acts 4:33) or even generosity (2 Corinthians 9:7). Enabling grace becomes whatever we need at the time. If we need wisdom, it's wisdom. If we need courage, it's courage. If we need patience, it's patience, etc.
Now notice in the lead verse above how this enabling grace comes to us. It's by faith that we have access to it. Apart from faith we would be on our own, trying—and failing—to live the life God intends for us. Yet with it, we have access to whatever we need…whenever we need it.
Think About It…
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?
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