2021: THE YEAR OF ABUNDANT GRACE

BY EVANGELINE UNITY ESAABA FOLSON

2 CORINTHIANS 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

Another translation says:
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others

The dictionary defines grace as mercy or undeserved favour. There are other definitions of “grace” in the dictionary but this one suits or is appropriate for the grace described in the bible.

As a result of the pandemic, countries all over the world developed and developing are in financial crisis. The lockdowns have destroyed several businesses or companies and the year 2021 would probably hold challenges for all. The rich and the poor, the young and the old. 2 Corinthians 9:8 says God in spite of these setbacks can make grace abound to us or God is going to have mercy on us underserved favour.

How can we experience this undeserved favour from God? We must be:

• Born again and saved (Ephesians 2:8-10)
• Obeying the Lord’s Commands (Deuteronomy 28:13, John 15:7)Calling on the Lord through prayer at all times (Jeremiah 33:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:17)
• Thanking and praising God (1 Thessalonians 5:18, Psalm 100:4)
• Trusting God for direction (Proverbs 3:3-6)

The conditions or things listed above help us enjoy God’s abundant grace and are not necessary conditions required by God. You can still enjoy undeserved favour from God even if you do not meet any of the above conditions. These conditions are necessary to help you have a close and meaningful relationship with God throughout 2021.

YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN

EPHESIANS 2:8-10
For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God had before ordained that we should walk in them.

According to the passage above, there is nothing you can do to get saved. This implies that it is not your good works that save you. God offers salvation to people who do evil as well. Salvation is like a gift we have received from God we do not have to work for it. All we have to do is to receive it by faith.

YOU MUST OBEY THE LORD’S COMMANDS

DEUTERONOMY 28:13
And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail, and thou shall not be above only, and thou shall not be beneath; if that thou hearkens unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and do them. John 15:7 if ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Deuteronomy 28:13 says
If you hearken to and obey the Lord’s Commands you shall be the head, and you shall be above only. That is the grace of God will abound in your life.

John 15:7 also says if you abide (obey) in the Lord and His words abide in you, you can ask whatever you desire and it shall be done for you. This also implies that the grace of God will abound in your life.

YOU MUST CALL ON THE LORD THROUGH PRAYER AT ALL TIMES

JEREMIAH 33:3
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing. Both verses admonish us as Christians and children of God to pray consistently without stopping.
Ephesians 6:18 also says:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in spirit.

What God is trying to tell us is that prayer is very important in the life of a Christian without prayer, the Christian is powerless and the evil one can attack at any time.

You must thank and praise god

1 Thessalonians 5:18
In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Psalm 100:4-5
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name, for the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth to all generations.
According to the two verses above; thanksgiving and praise:

Take us into the Courts of God or it brings us closer to God and makes us enjoy His goodness.
Praise and thanksgiving help us fulfil His will His grace will abound in our lives

You must trust God for direction

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.

If you have a firm belief (trust) in the Lord and commit everything you do into His hands, He will guide you into success in all you do. The grace of God will abound your life.

Conclusion
As we attend church service on December 31, 2020, let u remember to pray that God will take control of our lives, and guide us throughout 2021 and let His grace abound in our lives.

References
King James Bible
Oxford English Minidictionray
Google.com