Embracing Amazing Grace: How It Redefines Our Worth

"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..." - 1 Corinthians 15:9-10

These words by Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians strike a chord in all of us. Paul, a figure known for his relentless persecution of early Christians, became one of the most influential apostles of Christ. How? 

It's all because of two powerful words: amazing grace.

Now, let’s talk about grace. When we think about it, it often feels like a lofty, almost unattainable concept. But here’s the beauty of it – grace is not just a theological idea; it’s a practical, everyday reality. Grace is about receiving something we don’t deserve, and there’s something incredibly humbling and empowering about that.

Take Paul, for instance. He believed he was unworthy, the "least of the apostles." Yet, grace transformed him. It wasn't his past actions that defined his worth; it was the grace of God. 

And that's the same for each of us. God's grace redefines our worth regardless of our past, our mistakes, or how we see ourselves.

In our daily lives, how often do we judge ourselves harshly? We look at our past and failures and think, “Surely, I don’t deserve grace.” But here’s the thing – grace isn’t about deserving. It’s about accepting. 

Accepting that you are valued, loved, and forgiven, not because of what you’ve done, but because of who God is.

So, how do we embrace this amazing grace in our everyday lives?

First, by accepting it for ourselves. It starts with a simple yet profound acknowledgment: “By the grace of God, I am what I am.” 

This acceptance isn’t just about self-improvement; it’s recognizing God’s power to transform lives.

Then, there’s the aspect of extending this grace to others. We're called to extend grace in our interactions just as we’ve been given grace freely. 

Whether it's showing patience to someone who's testing your limits, offering forgiveness to someone who's wronged you, or just giving a helping hand without expecting anything in return, these are practical expressions of grace.

Embracing grace also means letting it affect us, just like Paul said. Grace isn’t passive; it's active and transformative. It encourages us to grow, to change for the better, and to live in a way that reflects the love and mercy we've received. 

This might mean stepping out of our comfort zones, getting involved in acts of service, or simply choosing kindness in a world that often glorifies the opposite.

In essence, embracing amazing grace is about living out our true worth as God defines. It’s about seeing ourselves and others through the lens of grace – flawed yet deeply loved and valued. 

When we start living in this reality, our actions, words, and thoughts align more with God's heart.

As we continue our journey, let's hold onto the truth that our past does not define our worth, our achievements, or the world's standards. It's defined by God's unmerited, transformative, and truly amazing grace. 

In this grace, we find the freedom to be our true selves – loved, forgiven, and empowered to make a difference.

Read More: 17 Bible verse about God's abundant grace