Why do I talk about grace in all the time? Why the hype? What’s the big deal? These are questions asked by those who don’t quite understand grace. If a person “gets” it there’s no way he/she can keep quiet about the wonders of it all.
A friend and I were discussing why we thought some Christians understand grace and some don’t. A few conclusions we came to are that they were taught you get nothing for free. True, most things in life cost something but God’s grace is free for the taking. Maybe the truth didn’t get boldly proclaimed, maybe it just hasn’t been taught clearly but with a mixture of truth and lies and the lies won. It could be they believe a person must work for God’s love, and if so total grace would be unattainable. But whatever the reason it is a sad thing. Most of these reasons were our reasons at one time or another, hence the conclusions.
Why do some Christians have a good understanding of grace? Several things come to mind. Maybe they did hear the truth proclaimed and then accepted it. Maybe those who have been forgiven much, grab hold of grace because they know they don’t deserve it. And maybe some asked for clarity and revelation to received knowledge and truth and got it. I don’t know but I do know it is a truth that changes lives, families, churches, cities, and has the potential to change the world.
Okay, so let me give you an illustration of the difference between mercy and grace. Sometimes we tend to get these two mixed up. They may seem similar but are really different. Both are indescribable, incredible, fabulous, amazing….
A woman was driving down the interstate 20 miles over the speed limit. A policeman stopped her for breaking the law.
He got out of his car and walked to her window, “Ma’am you were speeding but I’m not going to give you a ticket although you really deserve one.” That’s mercy. She deserved that ticket but didn’t get it. The woman was completely satisfied and overjoyed to just drive away at that moment, receiving nothing else. Right?
She says excitedly and nervous, “Really! Oh thank you so much.”
Policeman, “However I am going to give you something else.”
She thinks, ” I thought it was too good to be true.”
But he hands her a one hundred dollar bill! and says, “Now take this and go to the store of your choice and spend it. When you get there you’ll receive another one. Take that and spend it and there will be more.” That’s grace. Never ending grace. She received something she didn’t deserve and it certainly wasn’t based on her behavior.
You see God sent Jesus to pay the penalty for us because we were lawbreakers (sinners). This will keep us from an eternal prison when we accept (trust, believe) the truth of what Jesus did for us. God provided this freedom out of His love and mercy. Heaven is ours! But He did even more than that, He also gave us every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus.(Ephesians 1:1-6) So much is included in this gift of grace. Forgiveness, joy, peace, faith, a sound mind, love, security, provision, protection, favor, and the list goes on and on and on and on. Oh and He put His Spirit in us to live for us, therefore fulfilling our purpose in life to glorifiy Him. All of this is grace in action.
Every day I am blessed with family, friends, dogs, and incredible surprises! His presence with me is more than I ever deserved, but because of God’s amazing grace He gives it to me. Grace enables me to live for Jesus because it is His love and power in me that accomplishes His work and purpose. His grace takes me through, over, under, in between and far above all circumstances. I am NEVER without Him. And there is so much more than this!
The truth is God could have saved a place in heaven for me and that would have been more than enough, more than I deserved but He gave me His ongoing grace. Why do I speak about grace to the people I meet? Don’t you? How could we ever keep our mouths closed about this great grace? How could we NOT share this with others? God gives and gives and gives and gives…. He fills me so full I simply overflow with His love and grace and to keep from exploding I have to tell about it. The greatest thing that ever happened to me cannot be kept hidden.
Do I live as if I have the gift of grace every day, every minute? Nope I don’t. But those times I do, it’s a different, wonderful, abundant experience in those moments.
Can anybody guess why I began this blog? That’s right because I am one of those who has been forgiven much, one of those who has had the veil removed, one of those who found it hard to believe I had value or worth~but today and every day grace tells me that I am highly favored, blessed, valued and loved by God Almighty, the Father of my heart.
Why do I talk soooo much about His grace? How could I not?
1Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon 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.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
James 4:6 But He gives us more and more grace. That is why He says, “God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the humble.”
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God’s favor and mercy].
