Today’s One Year Bible Verses: Isaiah 30:12-33:9, Galatians 5:1-12, Psalm 63:1-11, Proverbs 23:22

Fallen from Grace

“For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ; you have fallen away from God’s grace.” — Galatians 5:4 (NLT)

Normally in the mornings I worship and then do my Bible study. But one morning a few years back, I started watching video shorts on my phone instead. Three times over the course of several hours of watching, I had the prompting by the Holy Spirit: “Read your Bible.” Each time I brushed it off and kept scrolling.

The next thing you know, it’s almost noon and half my day was wasted! I rushed to do all that I needed to do, but the day ended horribly and with great conflict. Later, I asked the Lord, “What was that all about? Where did that come from?” And I got a very clear answer: “You fell from grace.”

“What?!” I exclaimed. “How?” He continued, “You stepped out of the sphere of Christ this morning when you denied Me for your own pleasures and will.”

Oh, no! I never would’ve thought that’s what I did! It seemed so innocent—just mindlessly watching videos. They weren’t even “bad.” I never realized that brushing off the Spirit’s promptings was actually denying the Holy Spirit, and in turn Jesus Himself. By ignoring Him, I walked outside His covering for the rest of the day. I left His sphere of grace. That left me vulnerable to the enemy because I was unprotected. I was left to my own will and way—subject to the “law of self” and its consequences.

How often do we do this in our everyday lives? How often do we step outside of Christ’s sphere to pursue our own pleasures and desires? How often do we “fall from grace,” stepping away from God’s favor, blessing, and protection?

That day, I was not like Paul: “But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us.” (Galatians 5:5). I was not living by the Spirit—I ignored Him. I was not eagerly waiting for what He wanted to give me—I rejected it. I stepped outside the peace He intended for me. He didn’t leave me—I walked away.

“Paul reminds us: ‘For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love’ (Galatians 5:6, NLT). I also didn’t show my faith in love. I didn’t obey His Spirit’s prompting. Jesus said, ‘If you love me, obey my commandments’ (John 14:15, NLT). He’s not calling me back to the old covenant rule-keeping, but to the new-covenant way—daily obedience to His voice through the Holy Spirit who ‘teaches you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you’ (John 14:26, NLT). His commands are lived out as the Spirit applies Jesus’ words to my life in real time. When I ignored that prompting, I stepped outside the experience of grace—not losing salvation, but stepping out of the peace and power He intended—until I turned back in repentance (cf. Galatians 5:25).

Let us instead be like Paul—living eagerly for the Lord’s instruction. Or like David: “O God, you are my God; I search earnestly for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.” (Psalm 63:1). Living water can only be found in Christ, not in distractions.

So today, let us cling to Him and say with David: “I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely.” (Psalm 63:7–8).

Action (5 Minutes with God)

1. Ask the Lord: “Where am I brushing off your Spirit’s promptings in small ways?”
2. Write down the first thing He shows you.
3. Ask the Lord: “What do you want me to do?”
4. Write what He whispers to you.
5. Commit to doing what He instructs.

Prayer

Lord, forgive me for the times I have brushed off Your promptings and stepped out of Your grace. Help me to eagerly seek You, listen for Your Spirit, and respond in love. Let my faith be alive in obedience, and may I cling to You every day. 💎

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© 2025 Gems of Knowledge. Scripture quotations from the NLT © Tyndale House Foundation.