Grace Produces Bold, Confident Faith!

"To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him." (Ephesians 3:8-12 NKJ)

My hero is astonished at the distribution of God's grace. The great Apostle is shocked that he is a recipient. He knows that he doesn't deserve any consideration from God. Paul humbly claims himself to be "less than the least," yet God gave him grace to "preach the unsearchable riches of Christ among the Gentiles."

"From the beginning of the ages" God had kept his mysterious fellowship a secret from both humanity and the angels. But he gave Paul grace to clearly reveal the Church as his "manifold wisdom." It is interesting to me that this revelation was intended for "the principalities and powers in heavenly places,"  but we get to see it too.

In fact, Paul claims this mysterious fellowship fulfills God's "eternal purpose" which was "accomplished in Christ Jesus." God has dispensed his grace, both to Paul and to us individually, so that his multi-faceted wisdom can be known, both in heaven and here on earth.

And ultimately, grace issues a bold, confident faith in Christ. Because of who he is (the Savior); because of his sacrifice (Calvary); because there is no "salvation in any other," we come confidently to God. With bold faith, we approach God. Faith is bold!

Julia Johnston's Grace Greater Than Our Sin expresses it well. "Grace, grace, God's grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God's grace, grace that is greater than all our sin!" God's grace is truly amazing! I too am astonished that he would dispense it to me. I too am unworthy of his concern. But he has flooded me with his grace and I intend to be faithful to his will.

Dear Father, thank you for your grace through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Empower me with the work of faith and enable me to be worthy of your calling. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Faith is not shy, but bold! Faith is not timid, but confident! Faith is not weak, but strong!