What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Romans 6:1-2

Devotion

Each new year seems like a great time to start a new habit or drop an old one. Maybe this year you have decided to save money or workout everyday. I’ve decided my New Year’s goal is financial. And I am going to do it!

Or am I? 

New habits can be difficult. It is so easy to go back to what we know, to stay where we are comfortable. Our brains get wired in a pattern, and it can be very difficult to create new ones. I think back to years where I was going to “get healthy and lose weight” or “read the Bible straight through.” By February, I was back to my old habits. I can’t tell you how many times I have read Genesis and the first half of Exodus! 

When I think of embarking on the new, I am reminded of God’s incredible grace. In mid-January or February when I have gone back to my old habits, I would be silly to walk away from my goal or call myself a failure. Because of God’s grace for me, I can have grace with myself and keep going. Maybe it takes longer or maybe we don’t end exactly where we hoped, but is it not more important to stay on the right path?

Then on the other hand, does one continue to or purposely stray from the goal? No! Grace does not increase the more times someone sins. Grace is the pardon from sin and the power to stand against it—no matter how big or small the “sin” is. His grace and love draws us to him. To me, this is great news! In my own ability, I know I don’t have what it takes to be who Christ wants me to be—like him. As Paul wrote a little later in this same chapter, “so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”

‭Therefore, let us go forward into 2026 and experience grace—pardon from our sins and power to walk in newness. It will not be perfect, you might absentmindedly eat a sample while shopping at a big box store during a fast. But his grace will catch you when you fall. It will be challenging, you might find yourself in a situation where you need to ask God to be your power to not be pulled astray. And he will.

PRAYER

Father, as I go into this new year, may you remind me that it is your power and your grace that gives me strength to walk in newness of life. It is your grace and love that draws me to you, to the right path. May I not turn away and lose focus from you. But when I do, my Lord, thank you for your grace that forgives my sins. You, Lord, are my righteousness. Amen.

Nevan White
Administrative Assistant for Congregational Care

Resources

• Watch Understanding Grace Parts 1 & 2 by Dr. Cliff Sanders.
• Watch Wesley’s North Star.
• Listen to Amazing Grace. 

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