Grow in Grace: RECEIVE the GIFT

 January 12, 2026

Ephesians 2:8–9

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.”  

Every spiritual journey described in the scriptures begins with grace, not effort, not discipline, not resolve. The point is, before we can grow in grace, we must first receive it. Paul reminds us, in the verse above, that salvation is not something we achieve; it is something we receive. Grace is God’s love that takes the first step, reaching out to us before we could ever turn toward Him.

This is where inner transformation begins: Not with striving, but with surrender. Not with performance, but with trust. Not with proving ourselves, but with opening ourselves.

Grace is God’s “yes” spoken over our lives before we ever whisper a word back to Him.


Receiving grace is more than agreeing with a biblical doctrine. Receiving grace really is a posture of the heart. It means:  accepting that we are loved. It means letting go of self‑reliance, it means we stop trying to earn what God freely gives. It means we surrender and allow God to define our value and worth instead of our successes, failures, or the opinions of others being the measure. 

So often I have found in myself, and heard in the stories of others, that believers struggle to receive God's Amazing gift of Grace because:

We feel unworthy. We fear disappointment. Perhaps also, the fact that we have been shaped by performance-driven environments in society and church.

I believe we confuse spiritual maturity with spiritual perfection. But please remember that grace is not given to the worthy, it makes us worthy. Grace is not earned, it is received or embraced. Grace isn’t fragile; it’s abundant and overflowing.

Today or throughout this week, in your quiet moments, reflect on these questions

Where am I still trying to earn God’s approval?
What part of my story do I struggle to believe God can redeem?
What would it look like to simply receive today?

Allow God's Spirit to bring these things gently to the surface. Remember grace meets us exactly where we are.

Let Us Pray

God, I come with open hands and an open heart. Teach me to receive Your grace as a living reality.  Let Your love define me, shape me, and transform me. Let me grow in grace by first receiving it deeply as your amazing gift. Amen.