Grace that Enables

The heroes we see in movies usually have two identities: their real identity and their identity as a hero. Spider-man’s true identity, for example, is a teenage boy named Peter Parker. But Peter first encountered a radioactive spider that bit him. This gave him powers that changed the way he saw himself and made him into the hero called Spider-man. In the same way, when we experience God’s grace, it changes how we see ourselves and enables us to be and do what He wants us to be and do.

The apostle Paul had one of the most amazing transformation stories in the Bible. Christians of his time were terrified of him because he would hunt them down and kill or imprison them. But when Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, he put his faith in Jesus and was totally changed.

Not only does God’s grace change our identities, it also affects what we do. After becoming Spider-man, Peter Parker had new and bigger goals. He no longer lived the way he used to. In the same way, Paul now worked very hard to do what God called him to do. He was an excellent preacher, wrote most of the New Testament, and raised up many church leaders. But he couldn’t have done any of these things without the enabling grace of God.

Like Paul, what we did in the past cannot stop us from fulfilling our new identity in Christ. God’s grace is like a reset button that allows us to start with a new identity. Like Paul, we can declare, “Because of God’s grace I am what I am.”

Reflect

In your journal, draw how you imagine you looked before and now. Can you describe how you used to view yourself (e.g., scared, unimportant)? How do you view yourself now that you know your identity in Christ (e.g., courageous, helpful)? You can be creative and become a hero yourself!

Prayer

Thank You, God, for Your enabling grace. Even with my past and my sins, You have shown me grace. I pray that as I live for Your purpose in my life, I will always remember that it is not my works that changed me, but only Your grace. I pray to live and act the way You want me to every day. Thank You for the grace that reminds me of who I am in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.