Author: Dr. Dotun Oyewole
“For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17, NKJV).
A young woman once sat in her pastor’s office, tears streaming down her face. “Pastor,” she said, “I’ve tried everything to fix my life. Therapy, self-help books, even hours of prayer—but I still feel like I’m falling short. I’m exhausted, and I don’t know how to move forward.”
Her pastor looked at her with compassion and shared this truth: “Grace is God stepping into your weakness, lifting you up, and empowering you to run the race He’s called you to.” That day, she discovered that grace isn’t earned—it’s God’s free gift, transforming her pain into purpose.
What Is Grace?
Grace is God entering the story of your life. It’s His undeserved favor that rescues, restores, and renews. Without God, there is no grace. It’s not something you can earn or deserve—it’s His free gift, sent through Jesus Christ, to sustain you from salvation to eternity (John 1:17).
Think of grace as a divine power source. It’s what fuels the Christian journey—from the moment you say “yes” to Jesus until the day you stand before Him in Heaven. Without grace, we stumble. With grace, we soar.
The Three Types of Grace
- Saving Grace
Saving grace is the doorway into God’s family. It’s the unmerited favor that forgives sins and grants eternal life (John 1:14, 16). When someone invites Jesus into their life, this grace transforms them from the inside out.
Real-Life Reflection:
There was a man named Michael who reluctantly attended church one Sunday. He sat in the back row, arms crossed, skeptical of everything he heard. Yet, during the altar call, he felt something he couldn’t explain—a weight lifting off his shoulders, replaced by an overwhelming sense of peace. That day, he gave his life to Christ and discovered the transforming power of saving grace.
- Enabling Grace
From the moment someone is saved, enabling grace empowers them to serve God faithfully and wholeheartedly. This grace helps believers live with reverence and humility, even in the midst of challenges (Hebrews 12:28).
Reflection:
A young mother once confided in her pastor, saying, “I have three kids, a demanding job, and I’m still serving in church. How do I keep going?” The pastor reminded her of this simple truth: It’s grace that enables us to do what we cannot do in our own strength.
- Perfecting Grace
Perfecting grace works in human weakness to reveal God’s strength (2 Corinthians 12:9). It shapes and refines believers, aligning them with God’s image even through trials.
Reflection:
Carla was diagnosed with cancer, and the journey ahead seemed impossible. Yet she leaned on God daily, saying, “I’m not strong, but His grace is.” Over time, that grace sustained her through treatments and uncertainty, and today she’s cancer-free. Carla’s story is a testimony of how perfecting grace carries us through life’s hardest battles.
The Power of Grace
- Grace Saves
Grace doesn’t just save from sin—it transforms lives. Acts 11:23 tells how Barnabas “saw the grace of God”because it was visible in the changed hearts of the people. Grace is the divine influence that convicts and leads people into new life.
Prayer #1: Father, let Your saving grace transform lives in my family, church, and community.
Prayer #2: Pour out the Spirit of Grace upon me, O God.
- Grace Heals and Delivers
The pool of Bethesda (John 5:2), meaning “House of Grace,” was a place where the sick gathered, waiting for healing. One man had been there for 38 years until Jesus, the embodiment of grace, stepped into his story. When grace enters your life, it turns hopeless situations around.
Prayer #3: Jehovah Rapha, make me a vessel of Your grace to heal the sick and set captives free.
- Grace Accelerates
When Jesus steps into the “boat” of your life, everything changes. John 6:21 tells how the disciples’ boat immediately reached the shore when Jesus entered it. Grace accelerates the fulfillment of God’s purpose in your life.
Prayer #4: Jesus, take over my life, family, and career. Accelerate my destiny.
Prayer #5: Grace-giving God, align me with Your purpose and bring divine speed to my journey.
- Grace Fuels Faith
Romans 4:16 reminds us that faith operates according to grace. Without God’s grace drawing us, faith cannot be activated. Grace is what sustains and builds faith, keeping believers grounded in Christ.
Prayer #6: Lord, ignite my passion to share the gospel of grace with the world.
- Grace Vindicates
When accusations rise, grace defends. Zechariah 3:1-2 describes how grace silenced the accuser standing against Joshua the high priest, granting him God’s favor instead.
Prayer #7: Father, I rebuke every accuser in my life. Let grace silence them and open the floodgates of Your blessings.
- Grace Perfects
In your weakness, God’s strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9). Grace ensures that even in trials, His presence sustains and strengthens.
Prayer #8: God, perfect Your strength in my weakness.
Prayer #9: Lord, when trials come, let Your grace be my anchor.
A Challenge for You
Where do you need grace in your life today? Is it in your family, your work, your faith journey? Grace isn’t abstract—it’s God’s power actively working in your life.
Just like the young woman who found peace in her pastor’s office, or Michael who discovered hope at the back of the church, or Carla who triumphed over cancer—grace can transform your story too. All you have to do is receive it.
Conclusion
If you long for faith that moves mountains (Matthew 17:20), start by asking for grace. Grace is the foundation of faith, and faith unleashes God’s power in your life.
Prayer: May the Lord clothe you with His mantle of grace, empowering you to live victoriously and fulfill your God-given purpose. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Final Thought: Grace isn’t just a gift—it’s the key to transformation. Step into it today and let God do the impossible in your life.
