Grace Comes With Blisters
March 29th, 2007 | by Ed |I once taught a message entitled “Grace Comes With Blisters.” Because many people have the mistaken idea that if I’m living by faith and relying on God’s grace, I’ll just sit there and do nothing. Not so.
“And working together with Him,” said the apostle Paul, “we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain” (2 Cor. 7:1). We can receive God’s grace in vain unless we’re actively cooperating with God and working together with Him.
When we began Montclair Community Church, our motto was “Come Experience the Difference.” And many experienced the liberating power of the grace of God. But grace is never an end in itself; it directs us into the purpose of God as we actively work together with Him. Our motto has since become “Come Make a Difference.”
Paul reminded Timothy that “[God] has saved us and called us with a holy calling…according to His own purpose and grace” (1 Tim. 1:9). God saved us so that we can fulfill His calling for our lives. And His calling is ”according to His own purpose and grace.”
My prayer is that we will not only ”experience the difference” that His grace can make in our lives, but that we will ”make a difference” in the lives of others by the grace of God.
One Response to “Grace Comes With Blisters”
By Steven Edward on Apr 19, 2007 | Reply
Well Pastor, your words have helped me. And I always believe in paying something forward. Perhaps some day my advice/experience will be able to help someone in need. May your words continue to make a difference in people’s lives.
Sincerely,
Steven E. I.