Is God's Grace Changing Us?

Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 24:20 & 22, And now I know indeed that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. 22 So David swore to Saul. And Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

Is God’s grace changing us? Since the time that we accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord, how much have we allowed the grace of God to change us? Are we still holding on to grudges? Has our attitude toward God and man changed? We are told in 2 Corinthians 5:16-17, “Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” As new creatures in Christ, the Holy Spirit begins to work in us to change us and make us more like Christ. We read the interaction between David and Saul, and we see what appears to be remorse on the part of Saul, yet, even though God has shown him much grace by way of David’s actions toward him, Saul’s remorse did not lead to any real change. Saul’s words are words that would probably convince the average Christian that there was true repentance and change in Saul’s heart, but we later read that Saul continues to pursue David (1 Samuel 26). How often has God shown us undeserved grace, only for us to turn around and trample all over it when we go out unchanged? The fact of the matter is that a Christian who does not see change in their life must stop and re-evaluate whether they have truly put their faith in, and trusted, Jesus as his/her Savior. This is not to say that we are never going to stumble. If that were so, there would be no need to include 1 John 1:8-10 in the Bible. As children of God, in our private life, and in our public life, in dealing with others, there should be a noticeable, genuine change in us, as God’s grace works in us to change us. Saul’s so-called reconciliation with David was nothing more than a smoke screen. How often have we put up a smoke screen in dealing with someone we hold a grudge against, only to go away harboring bitterness and a lack of forgiveness in our hearts? Saul acknowledged once again that David would someday take his place as king, but in his heart he continued to hold on to bitterness. David was very wise in heading back to his stronghold rather than return home with Saul. The Bible tells us, in Matthew 10:16, to be wise as serpents, but harmless as doves. This was the approach David took. In dealing with those who we are in conflict with, and who claim that they want to be truly reconciled to us, we must approach carefully and see if the grace of God has really changed their hearts. The only way to truly know is to observe their actions toward us in future dealings and interactions. This also applies to us personally. What do our actions say about God changing us? When we sin, make poor decisions, behave in ways that bring shame to the Name of Jesus, and He convicts us, and shows us grace by continuing to shower us with His love, forgiveness, and mercy, does it change us at all, or do we go away as Saul did? The best way to know whether God’s grace is truly changing us is to ask God, as David did in Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties, 24 and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Once He reveals to us what is there, we must bring it to Him with true repentance, ready to allow Him to make the changes in our heart and lives that will ultimately bring Him glory.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).