In Philippians 1, the Apostle Paul tells the Philippians that he prays to God that their love would increase (v. 9). This means that love is a gift of God’s grace, and we should ask Him to give us that gift. We can’t just manufacture love on our own.
This is further confirmed by what Paul goes on to say in the same passage. The fruit of righteousness “comes through Jesus Christ—to the praise and glory of God” (1:11).
In addition, the Philippians can be assured of the grace of God because “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (1:6).
Our virtues are gifts of God’s grace.
This is more controversial than it should be among Christians. One reason for this, I believe, is that people take these truths out of the broader context of Scripture.
So, Christian A will say, “Did you work out your own salvation with fear in trembling, or was it God who was working in you?”
Christian B responds, “I worked. Christianity has not been easy.”
Christian A responds, “No, it was God working in you.” And the conversation spirals down from there. Continue reading “How to Live by Grace”