“His Grace Toward Me Was Not In Vain”

by Pastor Mark
March 26, 2026

The grace of God

We have a loving and gracious God. It is His desire to give His abundant grace to us. Through His grace, we have been saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. God also provides His grace that we may serve Him and fulfil His plan for us. When we go through the trials of life, He extends His grace to strengthen and help us overcome our sufferings. The blessing of God’s grace is truly immeasurable…even profound to consider how much He has given us.

Yet, there is the danger of taking His grace for granted when we do not respond as we should in living our lives in holiness and serving Him as we ought to. There is the danger that we may have received His grace in vain. The Apostle Paul saw this happen to the Corinthian church as they allowed sin to get the better of them.

The danger of receiving the grace of God in vain

1. The example of the Corinthian church

“By which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you – unless you believed in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:2)

  1. The Corinthian church began well.
  2. They were enriched in everything.
  3. They were given many spiritual gifts.
  4. But the church was plagued with division among themselves.
  5. They were carnal in their ways.
  6. Paul was deeply concerned that they had believed in vain.
  7. They were in danger of receiving the grace of God in vain.

2. The example of Israel

  1. The prophet Hosea highlighted the many sins of Israel.
  2. God had extended much grace to Israel in delivering them repeatedly.
  3. But they received His grace in vain as they were drawn away by their sins.
  4. They were as stubborn as a calf and would not change (Hosea 4:16).
  5. Israel did not direct their deeds toward turning to God (Hosea 5:4).
  6. They were caught up with their own ideas and ways.
  7. Both Israel and Judah stumbled in their iniquities (Hosea 5:5).
  8. There was much spiritual sickness (Hosea 5:13).
  9. It seemed that everything would be in vain for Israel.

The challenge is not to receive the grace of God in vain

The Apostle Paul set an excellent example for us of the Lord’s grace not given in vain. Paul wrote, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:10). What are some reasons for Paul being able to do this?

Firstly, Paul had a deep understanding and appreciation of the grace given to him in salvation and more. He considered himself the “chief of all sinners”, yet God forgave him through His grace. Secondly, he depended fully on God’s grace and acknowledged that it was only by His grace that he had become who he was…an apostle of Christ. Without His grace, he would be nothing. Thirdly, Paul responded zealously to the grace given to him by labouring more abundantly than anyone else. The grace of God sustained him day and night to do his utmost for the Lord.

Let us be challenged to have every reason not to receive the Lord’s grace in vain. Let us use it well in our pursuit of living a life of holiness and to serve Him diligently with our heart and mind.

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