The apostle Paul credits his salvation, his new birth and his relationship with the living God strictly to the grace of God. In 1 Corinthians 15:10 he writes, “But by the grace of God I am what I am.”
The apostle Paul credits his salvation, his new birth and his relationship with the living God strictly to the grace of God. In 1 Corinthians 15:10 he writes, “But by the grace of God I am what I am.”
Paul knew that his salvation had nothing to do with his personal efforts of good deeds or works because his life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ took place while he was actively persecuting the Christian church.
In Ephesians 2:4-5 Paul reminds every born again believer that this too is true for them. “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.”
How glorious but grace does not stop here. Paul also credits his apostleship and his ministry to the grace of God. In 1 Corinthians 15:10 Paul continues and says, “…and His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
” Paul acknowledges that the only reason he could engage in any form of ministry for God was because of the grace of God. Everything we ever do for God out of obedience to His call is a gift from God. It was Jesus who said, “Apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5).”
Christian friend, God calls you to be light and to be salt, to forgive and to love, to serve and to teach and to be godly. Let us step out in obedience to Him knowing that it is by His grace that we are able.
Dirk Coetzee
Grahamstown Baptist Church
