Grace in Vain?

Ephesians 2:1-10
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

I used to walk according to the "course of this world". There was a spirit of disobedience in me. I lived motivated by the flesh. And then I met Grace. And I met Love. I met Mercy. I found Life. And for me it means salvation. It means freedom from bondage. It is peace, an inner rest. Assurance. It means eternal life. But what does it mean to the kingdom? What difference has His gift of grace made for Him. What is the outgoing impact on everything around me.

1 Corinthians 15:10
Paul says: "But by grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain."

That really struck a cord in me as I read. I think I fear God's grace toward me proving vain. I mean, I wonder if am walking in the good works that God prepared for me, as His workmanship. Or am I bucking Him. It was His grace that saved me, not my works. But, now that I live by that grace, is the goodness flowing? Are the works evident of a life changed by grace? This is my prayer: God show me any vain part of me that is missing the mark. May the Gospel I live by, that exist b/c of your grace, be fully realized in me. And may my life prove your grace to the world.

Grace: the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God