“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for one to bear the yoke in youth, to sit alone in silence when the Lord has imposed it, to put one’s mouth to the dust (there may be yet hope), to give one’s cheek to the smiter, and be filled with insults. For the Lord will not reject forever. Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.” Lamentations 3:21-33

                                                                                       Wesleyan

Core Term - Convincing Grace Many understand grace as God’s assistance or comfort in times of trial or need. But salvation requires more than a warm smile from the Divine. A basic prerequisite is the necessity for a person to realize that he or she stands in need as a sinner before God, as seen in Lamentations 3. Unless a person recognizes that condition, there is no real hope for salvation. When we don’t recognize sin as a basic reality in our lives, the message of God’s salvation falls on deaf ears. God’s presence and power (grace) is not just a comforting thought. When Jesus says, ‘Remember, I am with you always’ (Matthew 28:20b), the implication is that one cannot escape the presence of God, even on occasions when one thinks, says, or does things that are sinful. Christ’s presence (convicting/convincing grace) helps us recognize such sinfulness, which is often called the conviction of sin. This recognition of our sinful condition is a necessary prerequisite to repentance. (Wesley Study Bible, page 978)