For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

--Parallel verses:
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬
[Paul speaking]
For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 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. Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

Grace is a good gift, in place of the punishment we deserve. And it is a truly amazing thing!  When I think about the incredible grace of God it overwhelms me. Living in God’s grace builds humility, love, empathy, and a desire to be gracious to others, as well.

Grace is a gift that, once received, keeps working on our hearts. It trains us. In view of God’s grace and with a good understanding of the sacrifice to give it, we cast off the sinful desires and worldly ways that once held us captive. Our thoughts transform to be thoughts of goodness.  This results in self-control, upright living, and godliness.

I love the example of the apostle Paul. He was the worst of enemies to the followers of Jesus, called The Way. Yet when Jesus called him, he gave him grace and called on his church to do the same.  And so Paul was rescued from great sin, and he worked all the harder to serve Jesus. The grace propelled him, motivated him, and gave him energy to serve and minister.

What does it look like for God’s Grace to change me from the inside out, in bigger ways?

Lord, teach me to receive your grace more completely and to let it penetrate and clean out the sin that tries to gain entry into my heart.  I want to be an agent of your grace today!