A Fire of Grace

Faith in Christ is a fire of grace, lit and tended by the Holy Spirit. It cannot be maintained or quenched through mere words of reason or points of argument! "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:8-10 ESV)."

This is not to say we should not be ready to give an answer for our passion; "in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:13-15 ESV).

Paul Struggled Too

“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this we I toil, struggling with all the energy that he powerfully works within me.” – Col. 1:28-29

It is comforting to know that the Apostle Paul struggled too. Even with all the “energy that he [Jesus] works within” us, there will come days that we struggle with taking that next step, making that tough decision, or just dealing with the circumstances that life throws our way. Even Paul, the great Apostle to the Gentiles struggled at different points during his life and ministry.

But God said to him, just as he is says to us, “‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (I Cor. 12:9-10).

May I (we) never lose sight of God’s grace and may I always look to the cross of Christ for my salvation, my strength, and my hope to continue onward.