Malachi 3:16-18 – Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. 17 “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. 18 Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

THEME OF THE DAY: MARKS OF GRACE IN A CHRISTIAN. When it comes to what distinguishes a Christian between the non-Christian, we may whittle the answer down to one word – grace. The Apostle Paul would say to the Corinthian believers, “I am what I am by the grace of God” (1 Corinthians 15:10). And we, too, proclaim “We are what we are by the grace of God.” Yet, proclamation isn’t verification. What we say is not the truest measurement of what we are. Profession of faith must always be affirmed by the practice of faith. The Christian is a different person in the world, but it is a difference spiritually, not just in moral conduct. Where the grace of God saves a person, this same grace will produce the spiritual evidence of this radical life change.

In today’s scripture, there are four marks of grace in the child of God verifying new life in Christ. These are always present in the new-born and will grow as the child of God matures in Christ. As we go through these, don’t be discouraged at how little these may appear in our lives. Be encouraged of their presence in our lives. Such presence affirms our salvation.

First the work of grace in a Christian produces the fear of God in that person – “those who feared the Lord.” This is the chief characteristic in the new-born person. It is part of the New Covenant and written on the heart of every child of God by God (Jeremiah 32:39-41). And what is this fear? In its simplest form it is a healthy respect of God producing love for Him that leads to hating, fighting, and departing all sin.

A second mark of grace in the believer is a commitment to spiritual fellowship with other believers – “those who feared the Lord spoke with one another.” Do we hunger and long to be with other Christians to share in the things of the Lord? This, like the fear of God, is planted by His Spirit in His children. True believers love to be with other believers. They are saddened when such fellowship isn’t possible and when such opportunities arise, they won’t be absent. It is too important to them. That is why the Lord’s Day is so special and longed for by Christians. They simply cannot wait to be with family members.

The third mark of grace present in the child of God is the practice of praying with other Christians – “Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them.” Yes, the omniscient Lord heard their conversations, but it will always be true that when spiritually-minded Christians get together, prayer is practiced. They love to fellowship with one another in the delight of prayer. This is one of the highest marks of grace in a believer; the desire and practice of prayer with other believers.

A fourth mark of grace at work in a Christian is active service for the Lord to His people and in His world – “Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.” God saved us to use us. Where the grace of God saves someone, it always equips and moves that someone to spiritual service. There are no “unemployed” servants of the Lord. All Christians are to be in some spiritual service to God’s people and in the work of the Gospel. Saving grace is also working grace.

So, profess Christ we must but let’s ensure our profession of being saved by grace includes the four marks of being saved by grace. Our profession is only as good as our practice.

PRAYER: “Father, may I not only be saved by Your grace, but grow in Your Son by that grace.”

QUOTE: “Where grace is present in a life so will be the spiritual evidence of that grace in a life.”