Scripture:
The third aspect of grace I wish to discuss is what John Wesley calls sustaining or sanctifying grace. John Wesley believed that someone could fall from grace. One thing that is for certain is that there is nothing in all creation that can remove our grace from us. Romans 8:38-39 (ESV) “38For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
However, just because grace cannot be taken from us doesn't mean we are allowed to sit back and do nothing. We are to strive to become Christ-Like in all we do. We are to strive for perfection. Granted we will not reach this lofty goal on our own or even here on earth in this life. We must however continuously work toward perfection. 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”
In my opinion our sustaining grace is our continuous work toward perfection. It is our daily forgivingness of our sins. Just because we accept Christ as our savior doesn't mean we are no longer in sin. In Matthew 6 Jesus teaches us how to pray and in verses 12-13 we are to pray for forgivingness and to not be put into temptation. Matthew 6:12-13 “12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Grace is free and cannot be taken away from us. We must however continuously be diligent in our faith. It is our duty to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. It is our responsibility to do the work Christ has set before us. It is our goal to be made perfect in Christ.
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