“By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:” (Romans 1:5–6, KJV 1900)
I worked for 25 years in engineering and management in the paper converting business. In this business, I designed printing machinery and also managed printing operations. One of the things of which I was keenly aware, was the electrical energy required to make these machines work. It required electrical energy to start them and electrical energy to keep them going. If the source of energy was cut off after starting, the entire process screeched to a halt. In a similar way, there is a source of power that initiates one in the Christian life, and this same source is essential for the believer’s continued walk of service for the Lord. I am referring to the grace that the Lord give to every believer.
Continuing in his introduction to the book of Romans, Paul speaks of receiving “grace and apostleship” to carry out the work to which the Lord commissioned him. Most of us clearly understand that it is “by grace” that we have been saved. Yet, we must remember that it is also by grace that we continue on in our salvation and works that the Lord has prepared for us (Eph 2:8-10). Paul understood this. Paul spoke of this truth to the church at Corinth. “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10, KJV 1900)
We must remember that any success we have in ministry for the Lord is rightly due to the abundant grace He gives to us. He has recreated us for good works. He has provided the good works for us to walk in, and He has provided the grace for us to do them. Thus, we must give Him all the glory for without Him we could do nothing. (John 15:5)
Renewing the Heart 
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