Devotional - week of September 28, 2008

CHAMPIONS FOR GRACE

For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.  1 Corinthians 4:17

The term “Champions for Grace” is borrowed from a Champion for Grace who uses it to describe Christians who believe, experience and advance the New Testament message of living by grace.

We can become “Champions for Grace” by following the example of the Apostle Paul who was the first one.

Paul’s earliest preparation for being a Champion for Grace was on the road to Damascus when he was captured by Jesus and entered the Kingdom of God.

The second factor in Paul’s becoming a Champion for Grace was his inability to successfully live the Christian life in his own wisdom and strength. His failure left him in deep spiritual agony.

Paul’s search for victory prepared him for the revelation from God that Christ was in him and he was in Christ. This revelation included the additional truth that because he was in Christ, he was spiritually crucified, buried and resurrected. The revelation included guidance in how Paul could experience what was true of him. This revelation was Paul’s third step to becoming a Champion for Grace.

The fourth feature of Paul’s journey into becoming a Champion for Grace was the transformation that came into his life when he began experiencing his spiritual crucifixion, burial and resurrection. He knew he had found the way to victory which resulted in a passion for others to have the same experience.

The final step in Paul’s journey into being a Champion for Grace came when he began telling other believers about their union with Christ and how they could experience it.

Everyone did not receive Paul’s message. Some received it, yet went back to law-living. Satan used believers and non-believers to viciously oppose Paul. These circumstances, though, could not stop him from telling others about their union with Christ. He died a zealous Champion for Grace. May God continue to raise up others in our day.

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