The Weapon You Forgot You Had

I believe there is one word that captures the heart of the gospel more than any other and that is grace. Grace is not about what we can do for God, but what He has already done for us. It isn’t earned. It isn’t deserved. It’s freely given by a God who loves us more than we can imagine. Here is what the Scripture teaches us about this powerful gift.

The Power of Grace

1. Grace Saves Us

The Bible teaches us a simple truth: we are saved by the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are not saved by our good works, our church attendance, or by simply believing that God exists. In fact, the Bible tells us that even demons believe in God, yet they are still demons.

The first thing to understand is that a person won’t get saved by simply going to church any more than going to a McDonald’s will makes them a Big Mac. Each person must go to Christ Himself because it’s possible to be in church and still miss Christ, who is the point.

Now, what makes grace so different than what is mentioned in other religions? Well, when we look at Islam, it tells you to follow the five pillars and hope your good outweighs your bad. Hinduism says you’re in the pit because of karma and maybe you’ll get another chance in the next life. Buddhism tells you to detach from desire and escape through self-effort. Judaism says to climb the ladder of commandments. New Age says the pit is an illusion, and atheism says the pit is random.

The major difference lies in Christ. He doesn’t shout instructions from above or hand you a ladder. He steps into the pit with you. He takes your place, lifts you up, and carries you out. That is grace. Every religion says “do.” Jesus says, “It is finished.”

Grace is getting what you never deserved. Jesus didn’t just forgive us, He adopted us into His family.

2. Grace Changes Us

Secondly, it’s important to remember that grace doesn’t just save us, but it also teaches us and equips us to live differently. It’s not just a pass to do whatever we want. It’s the power to change. The Bible tells us this very clearly in Titus 2:11-12 stating, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age.”

However, many people believe that grace gives believers permission to sin and that obedience doesn’t matter since repentance is optional. But that’s not true grace.

Others fall into legalism believing that they must earn or maintain salvation through good works. However, when we think of God as the Good Father, no good father expects his baby to perform to stay in the family. In other words, grace doesn’t need to be earned. It simply provides the environment for growth. Remember that.

Another common idea is the thought that grace is just a one-time decision. As a result, many believe they can simply say a magic prayer and nothing else matters. But if there’s no heartbeat, no hunger, and no change within an individual, something’s wrong. Just like a newborn baby who does not is a cause for concern, so is a Christian life with no evidence of a new life.

Remember, you’re not crazy if you love Jesus. You’re alive. Following Jesus passionately isn’t fanaticism, it’s normal Christianity. The cry, the desire, and the pursuit are all proof that grace is working in your life.

3. Grace Moves Mountains

Lastly, when I think back to the story of God’s people as they built the temple, they were fighting discouragement. During this time God didn’t give them a strategy. He gave them a source: grace. He said it wouldn’t be by might or power that they would continue, but by His Spirit (Zech 4:6).

In Zechariah 4:7 there is a phrase that caught my attention stating, “Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”

Maybe you’ve started something like school, family, or a business and now it feels like a mountain. Maybe it’s something small to others but it’s overwhelming to you. I would encourage you not to compare your mountain to someone else’s. If it’s too heavy for you, shout “grace to it” as the people of God did. Remember, the Lord’s grace saves, changes, and moves mountains.

I’ve seen this in my own life. I dropped out of college three times. I had all the excuses and reasons. But a few years ago, God started nudging me to finish. It wasn’t about my calling but about my future and it took God’s grace. Years later I can say I am finally finished with my degree.

If you’re tired of carrying the weight of your world, remember: you are not God. He is your Provider, your Strength, your Hope. Speak grace over your mountain. Trust Him. And walk in the power of His grace.

Read: Doubting God? Here’s What to Remember