In what ways can we rely on "the grace of our Lord"? Grace Shining Through the Farewell Romans 16:20 closes Paul’s letter with a blessing: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” Here, grace is the promised, ever-present help that wraps up every victory God guarantees. What “the Grace of our Lord” Embraces • Unmerited favor—God’s kindness that we could never earn (Romans 3:24). • Divine enablement—power for every task and trial (2 Corinthians 12:9). • Ongoing presence—Jesus staying with His people until the final Amen (Revelation 22:21). Ways We Can Rely on That Grace 1. Salvation from Sin • “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith… not by works” (Ephesians 2:8-9). • Grace is the sole basis for forgiveness, justification, and new life. 2. Victory over Satan • Romans 16:20 ties grace directly to the crushing of the enemy. • James 4:6-7: “He gives us more grace… Resist the devil, and he will flee.” • 1 John 3:8: Jesus appeared “to destroy the works of the devil.” 3. Strength in Weakness • “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). • Hebrews 4:16 invites us to the “throne of grace… to help us in our time of need.” 4. Daily Sanctification and Growth • “The grace of God has appeared… It instructs us to renounce ungodliness” (Titus 2:11-12). • “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord…” (2 Peter 3:18). 5. Building Up the Church • “The word of His grace… can build you up” (Acts 20:32). • “We have different gifts according to the grace given us” (Romans 12:6). 6. Hope for Final Redemption • “Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13). • Grace assures us that the story ends in glory, not defeat. Practical Ways to Lean on Grace Today • Start each day remembering salvation is a gift, not a performance. • Bring weaknesses to Jesus instead of hiding them; His power shows up there. • Use Scripture and prayer to draw near to the “throne of grace.” • Accept and exercise your spiritual gifts, trusting the grace that supplied them. • When facing temptation or demonic opposition, stand firm, confident that God’s grace has already declared the enemy crushed. • Keep your eyes on the promised future—grace guarantees the final victory. Grace Be with You Paul’s benediction is ours as well: “The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” Lean on it for salvation, strength, growth, unity, and hope—because His grace never runs dry. |
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