AUDIO PODCAST

As believers, we often find ourselves over-occupied with the concept of grace. We talk about grace all the time—its abundance, its reach, its covering. And while grace is absolutely central to our faith, there’s a deeper truth we’re missing. The true focus of our faith should not just be on grace alone but on faith itself. The issue isn’t that God is unwilling or unable to give; the problem lies within us, and it’s one we need to face head-on.

WIthout faith, grace becomes pointless.

God’s willingness to give and His capacity to give are 100%. The issue is not with God but with our ability to receive. We are not waiting for God to somehow miraculously bestow His grace on us in some arbitrary or fickle way. No—God is desperately waiting for someone who will actually receive the grace He has already made available.

In Mark 5:34, Jesus says to the woman who touched His garment, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” Similarly, in Matthew 9:29, He tells two blind men, “According to your faith let it be done to you.” Jesus repeatedly makes it clear—your faith has a part to play in receiving His grace. The truth is, He could do no great miracles in His hometown because of their unbelief (Mark 6:5). Faith, not grace, is the key that unlocks the door to God’s power in our lives.

Grace, often spoken of as being free, is far from it. It comes at a tremendous cost—the cost of Christ’s life. Grace is not a vague, untethered gift; it is a gift that must be received. A gift can only benefit us when we open it, unpack it, and begin to use it. Grace (χάρις, charis) is God’s reach, extended toward us at Christ’s expense. As the acronym goes: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. This reaches beyond the notion of something being “free.” It came at the highest possible price, and we have a responsibility in receiving it.

GRACE IS A GIFT—BUT FAITH IS THE KEY TO RECEIVE IT

Grace is not just some abstract concept; it’s a gift given to us, but a gift has to be received. You cannot benefit from a gift if you don’t actually receive it. In the case of God’s grace, this reception is done through faith (πίστις, pistis). The responsibility of the Christian is not merely to talk about grace but to act in faith, laying hold of the promises God has made available.

In Ephesians 2:8, Paul writes:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

Notice that while grace is given, it is through faith that we receive it. Faith is the conduit, the pipeline through which God’s grace flows.

This is where the Greek word Lambano (λαμβάνω, lambanō) comes into play. In its most basic sense, Lambano means “to take,” “to receive,” “to seize,” or “to actively lay hold of.” Faith is how we Lambano the promises of God. It’s how we seize what’s been provided for us. If your life feels barren, if your garden feels like a wilderness, it’s time to Lambano the grace of God and pipe it into the areas of your life that need it most.

FAITH: THE KEY TO UNLOCKING GRACE

Grace is the water of life, but faith is the pipeline that carries it to where it needs to go. It’s time we stop waiting for God to arbitrarily pour His grace upon us, and instead recognize that we must lay hold of what He has already given. Faith is the vehicle that brings God’s promises into our lives.

If things in your life seem dry, if you’re feeling distant from the garden of God’s Eden in your spirit, then lay hold of what God has already provided. Lambano the grace you need for healing, provision, and peace, and watch as the garden of your life begins to blossom.

BEING PREOCCUPIED WITH GRACE IS LIKE TALKING ABOUT A GIFT BUT NEVER OPENING IT

Being overly preoccupied with grace can be like discussing the most amazing gift in the world but never actually taking it or opening it. Grace is a gift, but if we never receive it—if we don’t engage with it through faith—it remains theoretical. We can talk about how wonderful this gift is, how much it costs, and how much it’s worth, but it doesn’t impact us until we actually take it and use it.

This is where the church has gotten it wrong. We’ve focused on grace, but we’ve neglected to lay hold of it through faith. The gift is there, waiting for us, but until we receive it—until we take it by faith—it’s as if the gift doesn’t exist for us personally.

ABRAHAM’S FAITH AND OUR RESPONSIBILITY

Even Abraham, the father of faith, shows us how this works. In Romans 4, we see that Abraham received the promises of God through faith, not by his works, but by his belief in God’s power and promises. Abraham’s righteousness was not based on anything he could earn; it was based on his faith. This is a critical intersection where grace and faith meet: God’s grace is given freely, but we receive it through faith.

Paul also ties this to us in Galatians 3—we are heirs to the promises made to Abraham, not because of our performance, but because we follow in the same faith that Abraham displayed.

The intersection of faith and grace is clear—God has already given the gift of salvation, of deliverance, of healing, of peace, but we must respond. The “responsibility” we have as believers is not to earn these blessings but to respond to them through faith.

CONCLUSION: GRACE IS FREE, BUT FAITH IS THE KEY

We’ve got it wrong. The church has been overly preoccupied with grace alone, often overlooking the essential role of faith. Grace is God’s willingness to give, but it is faith that receives. God’s grace is freely given, but we are called to respond in faith. Just as Abraham received the promises through faith, we too must Lambano what God has made available to us.

Faith doesn’t just receive grace—it activates the promises of God in our lives. If we are to see the fullness of God’s power and provision, it is faith that will bring it to us. So, are you ready to lay hold of the grace that’s waiting for you? The question is not whether God is willing but whether you are willing to receive.

In short, we are not waiting for God to give; He is waiting for us to receive.

DEVOTIONAL PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the abundant grace You have freely given to us through Jesus Christ. We recognise that Your grace is not something we can earn, but a precious gift You offer to all who believe. Lord, we ask that You help us open our hearts and lives to receive Your grace by faith. Let our faith grow stronger each day, so that we may lay hold of every promise You have made to us. Forgive us for the times we’ve focused too much on grace without allowing faith to activate it in our lives. We want to respond with trust and confidence in Your goodness, knowing that You are always willing and able to meet our needs.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

1. How have you misunderstood grace in your own walk with God?
2. What are some areas of your life where you need to “Lambano” (lay hold of) God’s grace by faith?
3. Do you feel that your faith has been activated in areas where you need God’s provision, healing, or peace? Why or why not?
4. What does it mean to you personally that grace is a gift but must be received through faith?
5. How can you nurture and grow your faith in order to receive the fullness of God’s promises?

MEMORY VERSE

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

Certainly! Here’s the English version of the SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION section in table format:

---

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Keyword	Description
Grace	The central concept of the text, described as a gift from God that cost the life of Christ. The Church has often focused too much on grace alone.
Faith	Identified as essential—the key to receiving God’s grace and promises. It is the conduit or pipeline through which grace flows.
Receiving	The crucial action that determines whether grace benefits us. The issue isn’t God’s willingness to give, but our ability or willingness to receive.
Gift	Grace is explicitly described as a gift that must be received.
Key	Faith is presented as the key that unlocks God’s power and enables us to receive grace.
Lambano (λαμβάνω)	A Greek word meaning “to take,” “to receive,” or “to seize.” Faith is how we lambano God’s promises and grace.
Promises	Faith allows us to seize and activate the promises God has made—like those given to Abraham.
God	The ultimate source of grace and promises. His willingness and ability to give are 100%. The issue is never on His side.
Misunderstanding	The core theme: the Church has misunderstood grace by overemphasising it and neglecting the active role of faith.
Christ’s Cost	A reminder that grace isn’t “free” in a trivial sense—it came at a great price: Christ’s life. Summed up in God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.