Grace: The Power to Do What He’s Called You to Do

When many Christians hear the word grace, they immediately think of forgiveness. And that’s true—grace is unmerited favor, the gift of salvation, the love of God poured out on sinners who don’t deserve it. But grace is more than just pardon. Grace is power.

The Apostle Paul understood this intimately. In 1 Corinthians 15:10 (LSB), he writes:

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain, but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.”

Grace empowered Paul. It didn’t just save him—it sent him. It didn’t just forgive him—it fueled him. It gave him the strength to suffer, to preach, to endure shipwrecks and beatings, to write letters from prison, to disciple churches, and ultimately, to die for the name of Christ.

That same grace is available to you and me.

Grace Is the Fuel for Your Calling
God will never call you to something without supplying the grace to do it. Whether you’re a father trying to lead your family in godliness, a young adult navigating an impure world, a business owner seeking to honor Christ with your company, or a pastor preaching to a weary congregation, grace is the engine that drives obedience.

Grace gives you the power to:

• Say no to sin and yes to holiness (Titus 2:11–12)
• Love the unlovable and forgive the unforgivable
• Endure hardship, trials, and spiritual warfare
• Persevere when you're exhausted and want to quit
• Fulfill your ministry and purpose with joy, not duty

You weren’t meant to do this on your own. God’s call isn’t a burden you carry—it’s a mission He empowers.

Grace Doesn’t Excuse Laziness—It Enables Obedience
Some people treat grace like a hall pass. “God understands,” they say. “I don’t have to be perfect.” And while it’s true that perfection isn’t the standard—faithfulness is—grace is never an excuse to sit still. It’s a divine force that moves you forward.

Romans 6:1–2 (LSB) says:

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?”

Grace doesn’t lead to compromise. It leads to courage. Grace doesn’t tell you to coast—it tells you to go.

God's Grace Meets You at the End of Your Strength
Have you ever hit a wall? Spiritually dry, emotionally spent, physically exhausted—and just done?

Paul had a moment like that too. He pleaded with God to take away his “thorn in the flesh,” and God’s answer wasn’t healing. It was grace.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, LSB)

When your strength ends, God’s grace begins. Not just to get you through, but to glorify Christ in your weakness. Grace doesn’t just show up in your success—it shines brightest in your struggle.

Step Into the Power of Grace
So, how do you access this grace?

Through faith (Ephesians 2:8): Trust Him to do what you can’t.

Through surrender (James 4:6): “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Through obedience (2 Timothy 2:1): “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

Grace is not passive. It’s the active power of God working in your life. It lifts you when you fall, strengthens you when you’re weak, and equips you to do everything He’s called you to do.

Don’t settle for a version of grace that covers your past. Embrace the grace that propels your future. You are not just saved by grace—you are sustained by grace, strengthened by grace, and sent by grace.

Now, go live like it.

In Love,
Pastor Jody