Vladimir Conference: "Living by Grace"

Drawing on Gospel texts about God's grace, those gathered—UECB church leaders, volunteers and ministers of the Vladimir and Ivanovo Regions—reflected on various aspects of grace. Pastor Vitaly Moroz was invited to the conference as a speaker.

In his opening remarks, Stanislav Petrash, regional senior pastor, emphasized the uniqueness of God's work in the heart of every believer—transformation into the character and image of Jesus Christ. This work would be impossible without God's grace and without the individual's consent to the changes that foster growth.

The conference discussed how the Gospel teaches us that God's grace is not limited to our salvation. We believe that we are saved by grace, that it is by grace that our sins are forgiven, and that grace is absolutely sufficient for the salvation of every sinner (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, its effect does not end with our salvation. God has provided that through His grace, as those redeemed and forgiven by the Lord, we are continually in the process of sanctification (Titus 2:11-12), another grace of God.

This is precisely what the Apostle Paul writes, reminding his spiritual son Titus: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared for all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age..." The great God, through His grace, teaches us to reject ungodliness and learn to live piously, righteously, and chastely. This is the daily practice of the Christian life.

God's most important act, through His grace, is to equip every disciple of Christ for ministry. Concluding his first letter to the Corinthian church, Paul speaks of the grace that not only was not in vain in him but also worked through him: "And His grace toward me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (1 Cor. 15:10). Paul emphasizes that God, through His grace, can use each of us—as He sees fit, and for His glory. It is a unique privilege to live for His glory and be His instrument.

Let us live and walk in God's grace every day!

V.S. Moroz