The Grace of God

May 21, 2023    Daniel Englehart

This week as we continue in our study through the book of Acts, we consider the story of Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia. After the missionary team is invited to give a word of encouragement at the synagogue, Paul gives a message about Jesus being the promised offspring to David. "After the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking with them and urging them to continue in the grace of God" (Acts 13:43). Luke, the author of Acts, summarizes their message as "The grace of God." The grace of God is not just what an individual believes in to become a follower of Jesus. The grace of God is what all followers continue in as they mature and grow in their faith. Growing as a Christian can be described as "growth in grace." It's the grace of God that not only brings salvation, but teaches us to become more like Jesus. "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age" (Titus 2:11-12).