BIBLE READING: SONG OF SOLOMON 1, 2, 3; GALATIANS 2
“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain” Galatians 2:21 (KJV)
As relevant and as powerful as grace is, one can frustrate the grace of God by one’s life. When grace is frustrated in the life of a person, it becomes weak and ineffective. There are several ways people frustrate the grace of God in their lives and then miss the efficacy of grace. Trying to earn salvation or to achieve righteousness by works of the law is to frustrate the grace of God because salvation is purely by grace. There is no human effort either by way of sacrifice, penance, observance of the law or effort to attain goodness that can qualify him for salvation. “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV).
A person can also frustrate the grace of God in his life through disobedience, rebellion and hardness of heart. Continuous indulgence in sin on the basis of grace and God’s mercy that forgives sin could lead to one frustrating the grace of God in one’s life. When one begin to take the mercy and forgiveness of God for granted, one could, make grace ineffective in one’s life.
Pride and boasting can cause one to frustrate the grace of God in one’s life. “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? 1 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV).
Prayerlessness and careless living could also frustrate the grace of God on a person’s life. When we pray, we connect with the grace of God. Prayer shows our inadequacy and our total dependence on God to help us.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, help me to always rely on your grace.
Rev. Vincent Diolu