Grace is unmerited favor and as Christians, we ought to live our lives under grace. Living under grace is having a relationship with Jesus, allowing him to guide our behavior, finding out what He dislikes or likes and acting accordingly because of our love for him.
There are three types of grace:
- Prevenient grace, which is God’s active presence in people’s lives even before they sense Him at work in their lives.
- Justifying grace, through which all sins are forgiven by God;
- Sanctifying grace, which allows people to grow in their ability to live like Jesus
However not everyone takes advantage of the grace of God in their lives. Some people receive the grace of God in vain meaning, the grace does not have any useful purpose in the life of a person as God purposed.
It is very important man receives grace, and continues to receive it in Jesus.
Romans 6:1-2, What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!
We can receive God’s grace in vain when:
- We come under its influence but fail to respond to it. (Isa 53:1) Who has believed our report?
- We fail to live by that grace which we profess to have received.
- We disobeyed God’s word, when twisted to cover for sin (Romans 6:1, 15) and when it is corrupted with human ideas and traditions.
- When we begin in the Spirit and end in the flesh. Gal 3:1
- By failing to bear fruit, Backsliding i.e. turning back to the world and losing faith.
Matthew 22:1-14 parable of the wedding banquet about kingdom of God. Taking grace for granted will lead God to throw some of us out of his wedding he’s preparing for his bride the church.
Therefore, do not receive the grace of God in vain. Devote yourself to the Lord. Follow Jesus in faith. Renounce sinful and selfish ways and enjoy the blessings of our Lord today.
