Jesus said: “’Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive” (John 7:38-39).

What are the “means of grace”? Historically, these are practices which God puts into our lives and which are a source of tremendous blessing. A “means of grace” is a channel of God’s generosity, guidance and help in our lives.

The Bible is a means of grace. So is prayer. So are Sacraments. So is worship.

Today I want to encourage you to think about these practices not just as something YOU do, but as something GOD does when you open that door.

Tim Keller explains it like this: “…if you are a believer, then the Holy Spirit will do his work as you use the “means of grace”—reading and studying the Word by yourself and in community, prayer, worship, and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. If you don’t use the means of grace, you are not giving [the Holy Spirit] scope to do his work. Or if you attend these things in a thoughtless, perfunctory way, you will be technically present but closing your ear to his instruction, comfort, counsel, and advocacy.”*

Yes, God works through these means of grace to give you comfort, counsel, and advocacy.

I hope that insight motivates you. I also hope it helps you to see how much God cares for his people, including you. When we proactively engage the practices he has given to us, we are giving the Holy Spirit the scope to do his work!

There are times when you “feel” something special when you are in a worship service, small group, or praying. But my sense is that more often than not you will not “feel” any differently. That’s okay. It’s normal. Here’s what we need to remember. Over time, these practices are like rain on the garden of your life. Over time, God grows you as you give the Holy Spirit the scope to do his work. 

Day by day by day.

God is going to do great things whether you’re having a good day or a bad day. Let’s prayerfully open the door to his means of grace, and cooperate one day at a time.

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Notes:

–* Timothy Keller, Encounters with Jesus (New York: Dutton, 2013), 145.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.