Grace for the Journey | Anchored in Hope Devotions

As the saying goes, be patient with me, God is not finished with me yet. For those of us who have trusted in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, this is our reality. We are all a work in progress. None of us have arrived this side of eternity. Just as we need God's grace for our salvation, we also need His grace for every part of our spiritual journey.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

While Jesus, of course, never sinned, He understands our struggles and temptations.

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Since we are the recipients of such amazing grace, we should also extend that same grace to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Being honest and open about our own struggles can encourage others to be honest and open as well. We shouldn't overlook sin but recognizing our own neediness, we can come along side and encourage each other to press on in our walk with God.

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32)

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:6)

Jesus set the example of what love and grace should look like.

"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:1-3)

May God's love and grace flow through us into the lives of everyone around us today!

- Christine L. Franco