3 Keys to Magnifying God's Grace: Faith, Surrender, and Gratitude

As a young boy, I experienced a terrifying moment at the beach. I found myself caught in the undertow, feeling as though I was being dragged out to sea. Panic set in as I struggled to find my footing and figure out which way was up. The current was too strong for me to swim against, and I wasn't a proficient swimmer anyway. In that moment of fear and helplessness, the only thing I could think of was finding someone to help me.

But I couldn't even call out for help from under the water. It was then that I felt my father's hand grip my upper arm with a strength that seemed mighty. It was the most comforting feeling in the world. I completely surrendered to his hold and allowed myself to be lifted up by his power. I didn't resist; instead, I rejoiced in being overpowered by his strength. All I could think was, "Yes! I need you! Thank you! I love your strength, your initiative, your grip! You are great!"

In retrospect, I realized that what I experienced in that moment was a profound act of faith. I had complete trust and confidence in my father's ability to save me. I didn't try to downplay the severity of the situation or rely on my own strength to get out of it. Instead, I wholeheartedly embraced my father's strength and relied on him to rescue me. This is the kind of faith that magnifies grace.

As we navigate the Christian life, our primary focus should be on how we can magnify, rather than nullify, the grace of God. The apostle Paul provides us with an answer in Galatians 2:20-21: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God."

Paul's life does not nullify the grace of God because he lives by faith in the Son of God. His faith directs all attention towards God's grace and magnifies it. This is the kind of faith we should strive for – a faith that acknowledges our desperate need for God's grace and craves it with a fervent passion.

But what does it mean to magnify grace? How can we actively live out this faith that exalts the grace of God? To answer these questions, let's delve deeper into Paul's words and explore the concept of magnifying grace.

Firstly, magnifying grace means recognizing our complete dependence on God. Just as I couldn't save myself from the undertow, we cannot save ourselves from the power of sin and death. We need a Savior, someone who is stronger and more powerful than us. Magnifying grace requires us to humbly acknowledge our own weaknesses and limitations, and to surrender to God's strength and power.

Secondly, magnifying grace involves embracing the reality of our crucifixion with Christ. Paul declares, "I have been crucified with Christ." This statement signifies our identification with Christ's death on the cross. Our old selves, our sinful nature, has been crucified with him. We no longer live according to the desires of the flesh, but we live by the power of Christ's resurrection. This is a radical transformation that magnifies the grace of God, as it demonstrates the power of God to bring new life out of death.

Thirdly, magnifying grace requires us to live by faith in the Son of God. Paul proclaims, "And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Our faith should be centered on Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who loved us so much that he willingly gave himself up for us. It is through faith in him that we receive the fullness of God's grace and experience newness of life. Living by faith means trusting in the finished work of Christ on the cross and relying on his grace for every aspect of our lives.

Lastly, magnifying grace necessitates a deep sense of gratitude and love for God. Paul's declaration, "I do not nullify the grace of God," implies that our response to God's grace should be one of overwhelming thankfulness and devotion. Just as I felt immense gratitude and love for my father's strength and rescue, we should feel the same towards God. Our hearts should overflow with adoration for his grace and love towards us.

In conclusion, magnifying grace is about living a life of faith that acknowledges our complete dependence on God, embraces our crucifixion with Christ, lives by faith in the Son of God, and responds with gratitude and love. This kind of faith exalts and magnifies the grace of God, rather than nullifying it. It recognizes that we cannot save ourselves, but we are wholly dependent on the strength and power of God. It celebrates the reality of our crucifixion with Christ and the new life we have in him. It trusts in the finished work of Christ on the cross and relies on his grace for everything. And it responds with overwhelming gratitude and love for God's amazing grace.

So, let us strive to live lives that magnify the grace of God. Let us surrender ourselves completely to his strength and power, knowing that we cannot save ourselves. Let us embrace our crucifixion with Christ and live by faith in the Son of God. And let us respond with deep gratitude and love for God's incredible grace. In doing so, we will experience the fullness of God's love and live lives that bring glory to his name.