Grace

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)” (Eph. 2:4-5). “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain” (Gal. 2:21).
Grace may be frustrated in two ways. One is by claiming salvation by the works of the law. To rely on a good work for salvation is depriving grace of its grace. Paul says it is not possible to be saved by the law. The other way to frustrate the grace of God is by squandering grace away.
Grace is opportunity to perform a duty, to repay a debt, to make restitution, and to worship and serve God. It is the time provided to make peace with God. Also, it is added strength to carry out difficult tasks, it is understanding a very real problem.
Generally grace is undeserved. In its true sense it cannot be purchased or worked for. All of grace is a gift from God.
Grace can be wisely and carefully used, or it can be wasted and misused. It is in the opportune time of grace that deeds of kindness and witness should be performed. The time of grace can be squandered away. The opportunity to make good can be lost by carelessness. A day of grace wasted is a day lost. That opportunity will not return. Another opportunity may come, but not the same as the first. Often the first opportunity is the golden one with the greater blessing.
When grace is recklessly wasted, it becomes easier to waste even more of it. As time goes by and grace is not used, the heart is hardened and becomes calloused to the promptings of grace. Thus, there are those who have wasted a lifetime of grace who find it difficult in later years to repent and come out of deep-rooted habits. It is hard to change long-standing habits even if there is a strong desire to change.
But God is longsuffering and compassionate and will offer His grace to the long and hard-hearted sinner. If he will humble himself and repent, he is promised that God will receive him and forgive him and give him hope.
It is, however, very dangerous to waste the day of grace for it may be the last one. One day God’s grace will be forever withdrawn. Of this we are assured by the Word of God, for it tells us, “My spirit shall not always strive with man” (Gen. 6:3). Grace may then be desperately sought but shall not be found. Man will then call to the rocks and mountains to hide them from God, but to no avail. Those who have not used the grace of God wisely will tremble when they will appear before the almighty Judge to answer for their carelessness.
102 Devotional Sermonettes, used by permission