God’s Grace Changes Lives

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Thessalonians%202%3A13-17&version=NIV;GNT

 

Jesus told a great story about the unforgiving servant. In it, a servant who owed his master 10,000 talents (over $12 billion in today’s money) begged for grace and mercy. The king forgave the whole debt.

 

The same servant then turned around and demanded that a fellow servant pay back what he was owed – almost $12,000 in today’s money. Instead of showing his fellow servant mercy and grace, he had him thrown in prison.

 

The Thessalonian church was being severely persecuted, so they were dealing with serious struggles. Paul encouraged the Thessalonian believers to first stand firm in the face of their circumstances. Then he reminded them to show God’s grace to others in 
word and deed.

 

¹⁵ So then, our friends, stand firm and hold on to those truths which we taught you, both in our preaching and in our letter. ¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and in his grace gave us unfailing courage and a firm hope, ¹⁷ encourage you and strengthen you to always do and say what is good.             GNT

 

These words apply to us just the same as they did to the Thessalonian believers. Standing firm in the midst of struggles, temptations, and sinful desires is no less difficult today that it was then.

 

Showing God’s grace in our daily life is also hard. Just try to show God’s grace to the guy who cuts you off in traffic; to the neighbor who yells at you because of your dog; to your spouse or children who don’t meet your expectations; to a co-worker who is annoying. But God’s grace changes lives.

 

John Newton was a slave trader who lived most of his early life at sea. Newton had a reputation for profanity, coarseness, and debauchery. During a fierce storm he had a conversion experience that changed his life. He became a minister and years later wrote the song “Amazing Grace”. He was also very influential in the abolition movement in England.

 

Which character do you identify with in Jesus’ story of the unforgiving servant? Do you find yourself more often judging others like the servant, or showing grace like the master? We are called to become more like the master.

 

God’s grace changes lives. Has it changed yours?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christ the Only Savior

Colossians 1:15-23

John Newton, who lived from 1725 - 1807, said when he was 82 years old, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great savior."

Newton wrote the powerful hymn Amazing Grace that we still sing today.  As many of you know, Newton captained a slave ship. Once during a violent storm as his ship was homeward bound, he feared for his life and found himself praying to a God he didn't know he believed in:  "Lord, have mercy upon us."  His ship was spared, and he began to believe that God had spoken to him through the storm.

Newton didn't immediately abandon the lucrative slave trade, but God worked in his heart, and he gave up seafaring forever several, years later.  During that time, he studied Latin, Hebrew and Greek, and eventually became a minister.  So many people wanted to hear him preach that they had to enlarge his church.  He was a strong influence on William Wilberforce, who led the British government to abolish slavery.

Take a look at today's passage, and read these words in the light of Newton's life:  "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.  But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight without blemish, and free  from accusation - if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel." (vs. 21-23). 

God redeemed the life of a slave trader!  Good news!  He used John Newton mightily for his kingdom. What is God doing in your life, in my life?

Verses 15-20 set the stage for the verses that follow, and we need to soak in the truth that "He is the image of the invisible God.....For by him all things were created.....He is before all things....He is the head of the body, the church."  And then take up the challenge to 'continue in your faith, established and firm.'  God longs to bless you so that you can bless others.  John Newton's example can inspire us as well - yes, he saved a 'wretch like me,' and he continues to this day to call his people to himself.

Lord, you are in the business of saving souls.  You saved a slave trader, and you saved me.  Thanks be to God.  Help me to shine your light so that others can see and give you thanks and praise.

Amen!