A seasoned Christian kneels in quiet prayer, marveling that grace grows deeper with time. It was grace that met us at the cross, utterly undeserved and freely given. But now, after many steps on the journey, we see that grace is not merely the doorway into faith—it is the ground we walk on. Grace is God’s unmerited favor, yes, but also His daily divine enablement that empowers our sanctification. We never "move on" from grace; we only move deeper into it.
This growing awareness of grace produces true humility. The longer we journey, the more clearly we perceive that every good in us is from God’s hand. There is no room for pride or self-congratulation, for grace by its nature undercuts all boasting. The apostle Paul, reflecting on a life of labor, confessed, "By the grace of God I am what I am... yet not I, but the grace of God with me". Any spiritual victory is not a trophy of our effort but of God’s grace – a realization that keeps us humble and grateful.
Grace also proves to be our sustenance and strength through every trial. We inevitably face weakness, loss, and perplexity that reveal our constant need for God. In those moments, we hear again the Lord’s promise to Paul: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness". When we come to the end of ourselves, grace carries us onward. In despondent valleys it whispers hope; in sorrow it births joy; in suffering it imparts strength to endure; even in the shadow of death it assures us of final victory. Looking back, we marvel that through “many dangers, toils, and snares” we have already come, and ’twas grace that brought us safe thus far, and grace will lead us home.
Yet grace does not only comfort; it also transforms. God’s grace is an active force in our sanctification, shaping us into the likeness of Christ. Scripture teaches that the same grace which brought us salvation now trains us to renounce ungodliness and live godly lives. Thus, grace is not a free pass to remain as we are, but the very power by which we grow: "It’s the grace of God working in us that empowers us to live godly lives". By grace, the Holy Spirit convicts us of lingering sin, subdues our old habits, and kindles new Christlike virtues. This grace-driven growth may be gradual, but it is effective. Over time, even our desires shift and our faith deepens—evidence of grace working within us.
For the mature Christian, grace is the inexhaustible theme of the journey, and we never outgrow our need for it. Those furthest along are the first to admit their dependence, knowing that every prayer, every act of love, every victory over temptation is a testimony to God’s all-sufficient grace. This truth invites us into deeper contemplation: to sit quietly and reflect on how grace has carried us thus far and will carry us still. We are sustained by a love we cannot deserve and transformed by a power we cannot muster. Ultimately, grace will lead us into the presence of the One who is Grace Himself. Until that day, we walk on—humbled and upheld by the grace that will never let us go.