Are You Using Your Umbrella

The New Testament is replete with references to God’s grace and mercy. The word “grace” basically means “unmerited (unearned) divine favor or kindness” – and the word “mercy” refers to “divine compassion or forbearance.” The two terms are relative, but not the same. It has been said that grace is receiving something that we do not deserve (eternal life), and mercy is not receiving something that we do deserve (eternal condemnation). When used together these two terms reflect God’s love and kindness toward man, joined by His willingness to aid or to save him. Hebrews 4:16 conveys this very well: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

The apostle Paul reveals to us that a Christian is in a saved condition because of God’s grace and His mercy (Eph. 2:4-5). But can one who has been “born again” fall out of favor with God? According to Paul he can. To some Christians in Galatia he said, “You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:4). A skydiver cannot jump from (fall from) an airplane unless he is first in the airplane. Likewise, one cannot fall from grace in Christ unless he is first “in” Christ. “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27).

If you think about it, God’s grace is like an umbrella, in a way. The only way it will benefit you when it’s raining is to get under it and stay (abide) under it. Similarly, if you want to be saved, you must both be in Christ and stay (abide) in Him. If you will not abide in Him you will fall from His grace and be lost (2 John 9). So friends, are you using your umbrella?

Aaron Veyon