Graced

Someone has said that grace is the most important concept in the Bible, in Christianity, and even in the world. It is most clearly expressed in God’s promises revealed in Scripture and it is embodied in Jesus Christ. In Ephesians Chapter 1, where the apostle Paul lists our spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ, we discover that grace is one of those blessings. Along with being chosen, predestined, and adopted into God’s family, Paul reveals that God acted according to the kind intention of His will and to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:5-6). In choosing to adopt us into His family with all the privileges of sons, God has freely bestowed His grace upon us. Grace is God's method of choosing, predestining, and adopting us -- grace through Jesus Christ, the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Jesus Christ is the embodiment of God’s grace. He came into our sinful, self-centered, selfish world and showed us what grace is. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men (Titus 2:11).
 
But God’s grace was not a new concept with the coming of Christ. The message of God’s grace is proclaimed throughout the Bible. God declared it from the beginning in Exodus 34:6-7, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin…”. The Old Testament goes on to tell us that Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD (Genesis 6:8); The LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory (Psalm 84:11); So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness (Joel 2:13).
 
In the New Testament, the truth of God’s grace comes alive with application to us as believers today:  For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace (John 1:16); For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; (Ephesians 2:8); Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
 
As human beings, it may be difficult for us to comprehend God’s grace. Although we’ve experienced grace and even shown grace to others, there is no such thing as perfect human grace. This is because there are no perfect humans. All humans are sinners. True and perfect grace can only come through God who is perfect and holy in every way. “He is a holy and righteous God, completely void of sin and full of goodness and love. He has never made a mistake and He can do anything….except fail. He is perfect in all His ways. If He were a doctor, He’d never lose a patient. If He were a lawyer, He’d never lose a case. There is no moral compass that could measure how upright and blameless He is” (“God’s Grace is Mind-blowing” by Philip Holmes).
 
All of mankind lives under the incomparable grace of God. The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness. The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works (Psalm 145:8-9). There is no other religion that emphasizes Divine grace the way the Bible does. Whenever we experience God’s mercy, forgiveness, favor, blessing, kindness, patience, or correction, it is all by His grace, by His unconditional lovingkindness that cares and stoops and rescues sinners who do not deserve it. God’s grace is at the very core of His relationship with all of us He has adopted as “sons”. His grace is a blessing we have in Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul always thanked God, not only for the grace bestowed upon Him personally but for the grace God had given to all believers in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:4).

How has God graced you and others you know? I hope you will take a few moments to consider the answer to that question and then thank Him for His blessing of grace today.
 
Grace be with you all (Hebrews 13:25),
Suzie
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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