This morning, friends, I want “to urge you to continue in the grace of God.” I just read these powerful words in Acts 13:43, and thought of all of you. Paul and Barnabas are in Antioch, preaching to the Jews who had gathered there. In the immediate context surrounding v.43, we learn five element of what it means for us to “continue in the grace of God.” These certainly are not exhaustive, but they are encouraging for our spiritual growth.

1. Continuing in God’s grace means we receive His forgiveness through Christ, and pass on this forgiveness to others (v.38-39). In Christ we have been set free so that now we can be empowered without restriction to lavish grace on others.

2. Continuing in God’s grace means we walk with faith in Christ and trust Him to do astounding things (v.41). We have been changed miraculously by God, and we are witnesses to God’s grace demonstrated everywhere in the world. In perceiving this, our faith, trust and dependence on God continually grows.

3. Continuing in God’s grace means we have a hunger to grow (42). We long to be fed, through personal study of God’s Word, through corporate worship, AND through gathering in small groups with other believers.

4. Continuing in God’s grace means we continue meeting together and encouraging each other (42-43). We make it a priority in our life to draw near in relationship to others, and challenge each other spiritually. Spiritual conversations are natural and frequent.

5. Continuing in God’s grace means we pass the message of God’s grace on to others (44). The next week, a huge crowd assembled to hear Paul and Barnabas. How did this happen? Not through mass mailings, internet ads, or telemarketing. It was through word of mouth – people who would not keep quiet about what they had heard. May you get verbal in passing on the grace of God.

Please join me in praising God this week for His grace, so generously shed upon us.

May God’s grace continually be found in you and flow through you, friends.
Pressing on,
Eric