Grace for Every Step: Justified and Sanctified
Inspired by insights from "Day by Day by Grace"
"I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more"…For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
— Jeremiah 31:34; Ephesians 2:8-9
Grace is the thread that weaves the tapestry of our lives in Christ. It was grace that met us at the moment of salvation, forgiving our sins and declaring us righteous before a holy God. And it is grace that continues to work within us each day, shaping us to reflect Christ’s image as we walk in sanctification.
The beauty of grace is its constancy. The same unmerited favor that justified us—making us right with God—also sanctifies us, enabling us to grow in holiness and live in obedience to Him. As Jeremiah proclaims, God forgives our iniquities and remembers our sins no more. This forgiveness was not something we earned but something God freely gave through Christ, the Lamb who was slain.
The apostle Paul reinforces this truth in Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." Every part of salvation—our justification and the ongoing work of sanctification—is a gift from God. None of it originates from us. Even our faith, the means by which we receive His grace, is authored by Jesus Himself (Hebrews 12:2).
A Metaphor of Grace: The Flowing River
Imagine standing beside a river that never runs dry. At the moment of salvation, you are invited to drink deeply from its life-giving waters. That first sip refreshes and renews, quenching the thirst of a soul parched by sin. Yet, the river doesn’t stop flowing after that initial drink. It continues, always moving, always available.
The same water that refreshed you at the start is the water that sustains you each day. To grow, you must return to the river—over and over—not because it ever stops flowing, but because you need its continual nourishment. Grace is that river, flowing freely from the throne of God, sufficient for every moment, every step, and every need.
The Grace That Keeps Working
The grace that justified us is the same grace that sanctifies us. It’s easy to forget this truth, slipping into self-effort as we seek to grow in Christ. But sanctification, like justification, is not something we achieve. It is something God accomplishes in us as we yield to His Spirit.
Paul reminds us, "Not of works, lest anyone should boast." This applies not only to salvation but also to our ongoing walk with Christ. We cannot take credit for any progress we make in holiness, for it is His grace at work in us. The Holy Spirit continues to reveal Christ to us, convict us, and transform us, making us more like Jesus day by day.
A Prayer of Confidence in His Grace
Father,
Thank You for the river of grace that flows continually from Your throne. You have justified me, forgiven me, and declared me righteous through Christ. I trust that the same grace that saved me is at work in me now, shaping me to reflect Your Son. I rejoice that You have given me everything I need in Christ, and I rest in Your sufficiency. May my life glorify You as You continue Your work in me, for all glory belongs to You alone. Amen.
Final Thought
The grace of God is not a one-time event but an ongoing reality. Like a river that never ceases to flow, His grace is always available to sustain, sanctify, and empower us. Let us continually return to its life-giving waters, confident that the God who began a good work in us will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6).