Today’s 333 Devotional: “Growing In Grace”

Whenever the topic of grace comes up, most people understand it as being God’s unmerited favor. That is, God giving to us forgiveness when what we really deserve is judgment.

But David Wilkerson’s definition has really made me think about grace, and am I growing in it? Wilkerson said, “Grace is Holy Ghost empowerment to become more like Jesus.”

If we want to grow in God’s grace, we need the power of the Holy Spirit to help us become more like Jesus, who Himself was the living definition of grace.

To grow in grace is to grow more and more into the likeness of Jesus Christ. So, we need to ask ourselves, “Am I growing in grace?” or “Am I growing into the image of my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ?”

It is time we take an honest look at our lives and ask, “Have I reacted with faith, grace, and love, or have I reacted in anger and harsh words? How many wounds did I inflict, or how many wounds did I help to heal?”

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesian church. He said, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)

The word edification in the Greek language is founded in two words and is used in the building of a house. When we use words of grace to one another we are building up one another and the house of God, the church.

Those growing in grace are seeing a change within them. No longer are they feeding off gossip, rather they are grieved listening to it. No longer are they criticizing, condemning, or complaining, rather they are speaking words of edification.

Those who are growing in God’s grace are seeing the fruit of the Holy Spirit alive in their hearts, which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:23-23).