The Gift of Grace
Scripture Reading — Ephesians 4:7-13
To each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
Ephesians 4:7
Pastors have the privilege of talking with people heart-to-heart about joys and concerns in their lives. The most common concern I have heard is about struggles with doubt. Some believers have difficulty accepting that God knows or cares about them. Some fear that their faith is too weak. Others believe they are not worthy of God’s concern because of their sin and unbelief.
The words of Paul are good news for all who struggle with doubt: “To each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it”—to each one, according to need and circumstance, at Christ’s initiative. Grace is sufficient to meet every person’s need and circumstance. To each one—no exceptions—sufficient grace is given to cover the multitude of our wrongdoings. No wonder “Amazing grace—how sweet the sound” is an all-time favorite song around the world!
Perhaps you are struggling, doubting, wondering. Maybe you have asked whether the grace of God can be sufficient for you. Do you wonder, down deep, whether you are good enough to deserve God’s favor?
The fact is, none of us is good enough. If receiving grace depended on our being good, then it would cease to be grace and instead would be God’s reward for good behavior. And all of us would fail. “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
Thank you, God, for the gift of grace and for accepting us as we are. We want to believe and accept that your gift of grace is sufficient for us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
About the author — Peter Borgdorff
Dr. Peter Borgdorff has been a pastor and administrator in the Christian Reformed Church for 40 years, most recently serving as executive director till his retirement in 2006. He and his wife, Janet, have five children and 14 grandchildren.
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