“Forever my life defined by His grace…”

Oh, how we are in need of God’s grace! Once marked as sinners separated from God, we are now adopted as children of God. This is only accomplished by his grace, through our faith in Christ. God’s kindness and love to us in Christ is by His grace and His grace alone. This is often where we get one of the correct definitions of grace: God giving us what we don’t deserve. 

However, and quite amazingly, grace is more than God’s kindness and blessing toward sinners who are ill-deserving of anything more than hell. Grace is also how he empowers us to act, to give us strength to meet life’s challenges and to do so in a way that our acting through these challenges is done in a manner that brings him glory and honor. 

For instance, 2 Corinthians 9:8 shows grace as the power that enables us to obey: “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 12:9, Jesus tells Paul that grace strengthens us in our weakness: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

And 1 Corinthians 15:10 shows how grace drives Paul’s work and perseverance: “By the grace of God, I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder [that was the effect of grace] than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”

Last, in Hebrews 13:20-21 God is described as the one who equips us to do His will, working in us in ways that please Him and bring Him glory: “Now may the God of peace… equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

How incredible is it that God’s grace not only saves us, but also keeps and empowers us? He is so good to us that merely saving us from eternal damnation wasn’t enough; instead, He prepares good works for us and gives us the grace to perform them, bringing glory to Him in the process. 

When the world looks upon the Christian, they see a sinner saved by grace and empowered by grace to love the world as God does. 

How amazing is that?

As a call to action, we who have been saved by grace through faith and empowered by grace to live Christ-honoring lives are called to extend that same grace to others, as our Heavenly Father has extended grace to us. As members of the worship team, this calling takes on a unique role each Sunday. We have the privilege and challenge of not only leading in song but also setting an example of grace, humility, and worship for our church family. Let us strive to do good works—not to earn God’s love, but as a grateful response to the grace we’ve been given.

Each time we serve, let’s do so humbly, resisting pride, knowing that all we have and all we are comes from God almighty. Rely on His strength to speak words of encouragement to each other and our church family, letting grace flow through every interaction. As we lead, may our actions and words be filled with the same grace that saved us, inviting others to see and experience God’s love and glory through our service.