LIVING BY GRACE IN AN UNFAIR WORLD

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16 ESV)

Sometimes a sense of unfairness may even afflict a Christian’s heart. We travel through hard times and do not know why. We often think only with a focus on our circumstances rather than on God’s Word and His Grace. Yet, we must trust God and wait on Him, not our circumstances.

I do not, personally, know anyone who has not suffered troubles at some point in their life, including myself. The inevitable human question is “Why?” Why do awful things happen to us? Why do bad things happen to people we love? We must learn to accept that some of our questions will only be answered in heaven.

As we mature in the Christian life we discover that God’s grace is sufficient for us when we encounter hardships. His power is made perfect in our weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV) We are strengthened by the grace in Jesus Christ who is full of grace and truth. (2 Timothy 2:1 ESV)

The grace of God is not merely an open door to heaven. It is the means for a new way of living. Grace is the most significant factor in a Christian’s purpose for living. As Christians, we live daily by the grace of God. Our progressive sanctification, which seeks to manifest God’s holy character, is by His grace and we will continue to grow in grace as we allow God’s grace to function in our behavior.

Never lose heart when confronted with Life’s unfairness. Our momentary afflictions are “preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV) In closing, consider the words of the following hymn (“All the Way My Savior Leads Me”):

All the way my Savior leads me; Cheers each winding path I tread, 

Gives me grace for ev’ry trial, Feeds me with the living bread; 

Tho’ my weary steps may falter, and my soul athirst may be, 

Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! a spring of joy I see; 

Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! a spring of joy I see. (Frances J. Crosby)