1 Corinthians 15: 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them-yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
I had an old friend who used to say that he never saw Jesus turn water into wine, but he did see Him turn beer into furniture. When I heard it the first time, I wondered what he meant, so I asked him to explain it. He told me that throughout his years of preaching the gospel and ministering to people in the deprived urban areas of Glasgow, Scotland, he often encountered men who would squander their Friday pay packets on drink and cigarettes. This left their wives and children without provisions for the weekend, so they would pawn their tables and chairs, sofas and even beds just to buy food.
And then, by the grace of God, some of these irresponsible and alcoholic men would hear the Gospel and receive Jesus into their hearts and homes. And that’s when a modern miracle would take place – of Jesus turning beer into furniture – because the men would stop drinking and start providing for their wives and children.
The grace of God is an amazing gift because transforms lives. People who were once hopeless addicts and alcoholics suddenly discover who they really are and begin to accomplish much for God. From today’s passage, we read that Paul was once a severe and terrifying persecutor of Christians. His sole ambition was to rid the world of Christ’s followers. But God had other plans and as Paul writes, it was only through and with God’s grace that his life was turned around.
Grace still changes lives today. Perhaps there are some of us who are spiritually lost and hopelessly trapped in despair. Perhaps we know someone who has taken the wrong path in life and is suffering from addiction problems. Perhaps there is a family member, a close friend, or a working colleague who is struggling with life right now. Pray for the grace of God to come into those lives and ask Christ to enter their hearts.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have the miraculous power to change wayward lives; You have the ability and authority to bring transformation to those who are suffering from addiction and struggling with heavy burdens. Come into their hearts and homes, and let Your grace bless them with faith, hope, and love. In Your Holy name, we pray. Amen.
John Stuart traqair@aol.com
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA