Embracing Grace

Can a child of God fall from grace? Most of my early teaching around the subject of grace centered on answering this question. I have always believed a child of God could fall from grace. It happened to Demas and I have seen it happen in others that I loved and respected.

My purpose is not to re-ignite the old arguments about whether someone was truly a child of God, or what faith, grace, law and works looks like. Just for today, I want to better understand how to embrace the grace of God - now, in the present, to know it is working in my life.

Not a day goes by that I don't stumble, fall and violate some command of God. Rarely a week goes by without questioning my motives, behavior and at times my own faithfulness. As I look over the years I realize how much God has had to forgive; how often I have drifted dangerously close to departure and how dependent I am upon his forgiveness and grace.

I understand that God's grace is extended through the blood of Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. I know that willful disobedience jeopardizes that free gift from God (Romans 6:1). I can comprehend the Biblical admonition that "graces teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lust to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world" (Titus 2:12).

Where I struggle most is with embracing God's grace is in the present. When I know that my immediate actions are sinful, when I am struggling inside to do what is right, when I don't feel close to God, or think, "He doesn't want to hear about this again."

Father, teach me to embrace your grace and forgiveness. Instruct me in your perfect way. Guide and direct my paths so I may ever seek you face. For you are pure and holy. Your mercies are everlasting and your love transcends my weak, sinful and disobedient nature.