“The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1:14)

Salvation comes through grace, provided to us through Jesus Christ. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) It is because of our sin that salvation on our own is impossible. It takes one who has lived sinlessly and can take upon Himself our sins and take the judgment for our sins, which is death. To offer this gift of grace, it would take God Himself to take our place to overcome our sin and death. It would also take one of us as a human who lived life without sin to be the sacrifice for our sin. This is what Jesus Christ did through His death and resurrection. He is the one who can now offer us the gift of grace providing us salvation. We receive this gift by faith.

Once we have come to God by faith, we have a testimony of what God has done for us. We can tell others about the Giver of grace and our reception of grace which has changed our lives. Paul gives his testimony to Timothy in his first letter.

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:12-17)

While not everyone may have as dramatic an encounter with God as Paul did, God encounters us as He shows us our sin and separation from Him. We also are offered His promise of forgiveness, redemption, and a new life. A life where God will always be present with mercy, patience, transformation, love, and grace. Jesus said, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. . .. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:23, 25-27)

Now, from this encounter, we begin to walk daily with God as we follow the Living Word of God, Jesus, and learn from the Holy Spirit, as He teaches us through the Written Word of God. As we do, our testimony will be about our gift of grace and what God is doing in our lives.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block