Day 1 – Brought into a Union of Grace
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time – 2 Timothy 1:9
The most beautiful part of Amazing Grace is the dichotomy sung in this first verse. Those who were lost are now found. Those who were blind can now see. Those who were broken and wretched have received the Amazing Grace that God has given to each of us. It is clear, in Scripture, and in our own lives that, apart from Jesus, we are all lost, blind, and wretched. Before coming to know the saving grace of God, our brokenness and sin kept us apart from intimacy with Him. Here in 2 Timothy 1:9, we clearly see that God saved us through giving us His Grace.
But, of course, we all know these truths. This is the beautifully simple Gospel that many of us have heard for a lifetime, and hopefully, will continue to hear and dwell on for the rest of our time on earth.
Yet, this verse from 2 Timothy is intentional in its wording, and brings to light one of the most beautiful and foundational truths of the gospel. It doesn’t say “God gave grace to Jesus, and Jesus brought that grace to us.” God’s grace was given to us IN Christ Jesus. Jesus is the personification of the Grace of God the Father. Jesus didn’t come to give us a gift that was separate from His person. He came to give us Himself, and through that giving of Himself, we partake in all that He is: His grace, love, mercy, faithfulness, holiness, righteousness, etc. He did not come to give us a salvation that was separate from who He is. He gave us Himself, which is salvation.
There is no Grace apart from Jesus.
We receive Amazing Grace through being joined in union to Christ. This union isn’t beautiful and wonderful simply because of the nature of grace, but because Jesus Himself is more beautiful and wonderful than all else.
We have been given, and are joined in union to, the Grace of God, Christ Jesus.
Action Step: Read 1 John 5:11-12. How does understanding our union with Christ affect the way you read these verses?
