Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 By Grace

Galatians 1: 11-17
15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace

One of my favorite books is Twelve Ordinary Men by John MacArthur. The book describes how God took these 12 flawed, and some adversarial individuals, to build the foundations of His church on. Paul embodies these same principals, and lays bare his flaws. “13For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.” I am always in awe of what God does with flawed individuals and the fruits of their labor thereafter. The truth that comes to the forefront when we explore the lives of these men is that God’s abundant grace and their obedience set the stage for their conversions.
We often seek that road to Damascus moment. That flash of light that changes us so that we are no longer what we were. However, what we often skip over is that Saul willingly went where he was told to go. He could have resisted or tried any number of things. It was his willingness to heed Christ’s command that allowed for the rest to follow.
We as believers often pray for God’s grace, and divine intervention. We hope God intercedes on our behalf for our benefit, but how often do we sit and listen for God’s direction. Even more, how often do we ignore it? It is by God’s grace that we are saved from the wages of sin, and by our cooperation, that God uses us for the sake of others.

 
PRAYER
Father, thank you for your love and your abundant mercy. Mold us, so that we our lives may reflect the gift of grace that you have bestowed upon us.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.” – Saint Augustine of Hippo.

Dr. Ryan Jacob, Long Island MTC

Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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