What is grace? John Stott, an English theologian, explains that grace is our God loving us, coming to the rescue, and giving of himself generously in and through Jesus Christ. One of my favorite Christian authors says grace is another word for God’s source of strength and protection, not now and again but constantly and aggressively! What a wonderfully consoling concept. Whenever we make poor choices, God fixes our mess by showering us with his grace. As Saint Paul wrote (Galatians 2:20), “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” Jesus has moved into our lives; there is hope of life everlasting. Amazing Grace!

Today, in 2 Corinthians 6:1-10, we are told not to receive the grace of God in vain. When we are grace-filled, we are responsible for doing something with it. Therein lies the process of our sanctification. God opens the door, and we, his disciples, are called to carry on his mission actively. What have I done with his grace recently? Have I had any influence on his Church or the people with whom I worship? If I give a thirsty man a drink of water and he pours it out, he has received it in vain. If I hear the word of God and reject it, then I may be lost forever, as the grace of God was given to me in vain.

God’s gift of himself to us is his omnipresent, everlasting grace. Saint Peter Julian Eymard wrote, “…..by all his graces, Jesus gives us something: his grace, his merits, his example.” (How to Get More Out of Holy Communion by Peter Julian Eymard).

Do you give yourself to the work of God in another’s life? How are you serving the work of those around you?

Let us pray:

O Heart of Jesus, infinitely generous Heart, be Thou praised and blessed forever! O, live and reign in me, my God! I desire not that Thou should have loved me in vain. (Saint Peter Julian Eymard)