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To put it simply, most of us would understand grace as “unearned favour”. We are all familiar with Eph. 2:8, 9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast”. God’s grace is available to all people. We are all sinners yet it was by His grace that we are saved. Though we don’t have to move a muscle to accept it, few of us fully appreciate and understand the tremendous price it costs the Father (and the Son). The Apostle Paul saw himself as one of the worst sinners but the more he understood God’s grace, the more he became aware of his sinfulness. The outpouring of grace from the God produced in him a faith and love which led him to praise God spontaneously.

How should the Christian reciprocate to give God the full glory for unleashing His love and compassion upon us? Passive acceptance is not to be encouraged. We who share Paul’s goals and vision for life and ministry must also share his complete dependence on Jesus. Like Paul, we must be so moved and humbled and that praising and obeying God will come naturally. When someone receives God’s grace, the Holy Spirit fills him and He will teach and guide him to live righteously. We must be living examples of the transformed people for everyone to see – living lives that are pure and holy and obeying God with incredible courage. For example, we must try our best never to allow any bitterness or anger to linger longer than necessary within us lest they become a foothold for the evil one. We should also be willing to forgive one another unconditionally, all the time. Such attitudes please God but they are humanly tough for mankind. ”Heaven’s treasures” should take precedence over all worldly matters.

Is not eternal life worth the price to pay for all the trials and suffering that some of us go through in this world? It is therefore essential for a Christian to share this conviction borne out of experience though not necessarily backed by a mystical encounter with God, like Paul. A question which we must ask: “Are we giving God the full glory for His grace?” What is your answer!