A Glimpse of God’s Saving Grace
Each of us in Christ Jesus has personal testimonies of faith that demonstrate the grace God has bestowed upon us, granting us salvation we did not deserve (Eph 2:8-10). The truth is that we have been saved (justification), we are being saved (sanctification), and we will ultimately be saved (glorification) toward Heaven, where we will meet Jesus face to face.
By the grace we have received through faith alone, we embrace our calling to make disciples as instructed in Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8. This responsibility is one we should take seriously. Fulfilling God’s mandate can sometimes be laborious, painful, and costly. There will be seasons when we may not see much fruit from our efforts, while at other times, we may experience an abundance of results from the gospel work that the Lord has called us to pursue.
During difficult times, the Lord provides us with exactly what we need, as He always does, offering glimpses of his grace at just the right moments to encourage us to continue spreading the gospel. Throughout my journey with Christ and my efforts to advance the gospel, I have been blessed with opportunities to witness him bring others from death to life. These glimpses of his grace invigorate us to persevere and continue to share the gospel with others created in his image. When we have the privilege of seeing someone respond to the gospel for the first time, and the Holy Spirit opens their eyes and ears to hear the Lord through his Word, it recharges us to keep sharing the Good News.
Throughout short-term mission trips to other countries, I have witnessed glimpses of God’s saving grace. Not always in the moment, but often later, I learned how God transformed the lives of individuals who heard the gospel that was preached. Stories of where one person’s response, repenting and placing their faith in Christ, often led to a ripple effect, impacting entire families. I praise the Lord for giving us these privileged opportunities to witness real change in people’s lives on this side of Heaven. People whose lives have been impacted by the gospel, where the Lord has used us to speak truth into their lives, where they might otherwise not have heard.
Throughout the Scriptures, we hear how God has used his people to speak into the lives of others and give them a glimpse of God’s saving grace. The Twelve Disciples: Jesus specifically sent them to preach the gospel and heal the sick in various towns (Matthew 10:7-8; Luke 9:1-2). Philip: He is referred to as an evangelist and was instrumental in spreading the gospel (Acts 8:5-40). The Apostle Paul: After initially persecuting Christians, God had an encounter with him and sent Paul to preach the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; Acts 22:21). Ananias: This disciple was sent by Jesus to restore Paul’s sight and fill him with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17-18), both of which were crucial for Paul’s ministry.
Salvation is an unearned gift, and out of the mercy received, Christians are called to make disciples and share the gospel, even when it’s difficult or costly. God often provides timely encouragements, “glimpses of His grace”, that renew believers’ strength to continue the work of evangelism. These moments often come when someone responds to the gospel, reminding us that God alone brings people from death to life. Through personal experiences, especially on mission trips, I have witnessed God’s transforming power change individuals and families. These stories mirror how God has always used His people—like the Twelve Disciples, Philip, Paul, Ananias, and us – to reveal His saving grace and spread the good news to the world that desperately needs to hear.
