Another Churchy Word – Grace
February 24, 2016//
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For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)
Let’s talk about grace, another churchy word.
Is grace a mealtime prayer? Yes. Is it an elegant way of moving? Yes. Does scripture use it differently? Yes.
Grace is an attitude. It is wishing goodwill toward another, showing favor and love. Grace is given freely, independent of the recipient’s worthiness to receive it.
Grace refers God’s love for us even though we are undeserving. He forgives our sin even though we will sin again and blesses us with His presence even though we ignore Him.
Wonderfully, grace is rooted in a Greek word (chairo) that means to rejoice, be glad, or delight.
God’s love for us isn’t bland. He rejoices over us! He delights in us! Every one of us! We cannot fathom God’s pleasure in pouring His never-ending, delight-filled love on us. That is so uplifting!
Yet even though God rejoices over us, we sometimes feel slighted because He doesn’t distribute grace according to our sense of fairness. God lavishes grace generously on whomever He wishes, regardless of so-called goodness.
Jesus describes God’s grace in a story about a manager who hires workers early in the morning, at midday, and again shortly before quitting time. The manager gives all the workers the same pay for clearly unequal work. Likewise, God is just as delighted with those who follow Him all their lives as with a death-row inmate who comes to Him at the end of life.
Grace is God’s unmerited favor toward us. It cannot be earned. No one deserves it. It’s His gift.
When have you received God’s grace?
#SeedsOfScripture #grace #undeservedlove
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Spend a few minutes to plant a quick Seed. Or stay longer and plant a whole garden.
Great post, my friend. I experience Grace daily. Especially when I wake up. My fibromyalgia wants to keep me down. God's grace and strength gets me through the day. Thanks for this. I "God lavishes grace generously on whomever He wishes, regardless of so-called goodness."