Galatians 1:15. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,
Think together: Everybody breathe in and breathe out. In what way was that breath the grace (kindness) of God?
Read Together:
Paul is telling the Galatians about how he became a Christian and how he was called by God to go tell the world about Jesus. He says that he was “called by grace.”
Do you remember what grace is? Grace is God’s undeserved kindness.
When Mom says, “If you behave, I will take you to get a treat,” that’s NOT grace. You had to deserve or earn that treat. When Dad says, “If you get all your homework done, you can watch a TV show before bed,” that’s NOT grace. Why not? That’s right—you had to do something to earn that TV show.
I remember one time when I was young, I got so mad at my big sister that I punched her in the face (she dared me to!). I knew that when my dad got home from work, I would be in big trouble. My dad told me to get in the car, and as we drove away, I was sure that he was going to drop me off in the woods somewhere to fend for myself! But instead, he took me to get a root beer float, and we sat and talked in the car for a while. That was grace. I received kindness rather than what I actually deserved: punishment.
Did Paul deserve to be an apostle and missionary for God? No way! He had spent his life doing terrible things. But he was called by God’s grace.
And, Christian, so were you.
Everything we have is grace. There is nothing we receive from God that is not because of His kindness and grace. We have never earned a single thing from God. From our very breath to His eternal life in us, all is grace. God is still calling us by His grace to go and share Jesus’ love. Are we listening?
Do something together: Who can you show kindness to today who might not deserve it? Make a plan together to share God’s grace.
Because of Jesus: We have been given all of God’s kindness.
With Jesus: We can share God’s kindness with others.
Pray: Father, all of Your grace is mine because of Jesus. You have called me by Your grace just like You did Paul. Help me live from grace every day. Amen.
