Devotion:
For an audio version of this devotion, click here.
Read 2 Timothy 1:9-10.
Reverend Paul Smith was our first Minister of Evangelism. When someone attending Christ Church would ask him, “Paul, what is the difference between the Methodist church and the (fill in the blank with Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Episcopal, and so on, church)?” Paul’s answer was always “Not much!” He wanted to begin the conversation by emphasizing that all Christian churches share a lot of basic beliefs. When I use Paul’s answer, I am always prepared to point out a few things that set the Methodist church apart. One of the greatest is our emphasis and teaching on grace.
John Wesley was a master at putting difficult theological concepts into words we can understand. Grace is God’s love, given to us as a gift that we do not earn or deserve. Wesley taught that it seeks us out even before we realize the need. This is called prevenient grace. That same grace justifies or saves us. And that same grace also helps us grow in faith throughout our life in what he called sanctifying grace. Please reread today’s passage and notice the three stages or kinds of grace in just these two verses.
Personal Worship Option:
Thank you, Almighty God, for your love of me. Thank you for reaching out to me, for saving me, and now for helping me grow in faith to be more like Christ. Help me to see others who do not know of your love and equip me to share this gift of grace with them. Amen!
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