Grace
The topic of grace has been on my mind and heart lately. There are so many songs and verses about grace, and we probably come across those every day if we are paying attention.
What is grace? Is it something you ever stop and think about? There are numerous definitions listed in the dictionary. I asked on Facebook for friends to give the definition of grace in their own words and they were similar in describing grace as being undeserved. The words I think of when I think of grace is undeserved gift.
Grace is definitely a gift. It is because of Christ’s death that we can have life. I wonder if we will truly ever grasp the full meaning of the gift we have received from Christ. I love what this verse in 2 Timothy says about grace. We are saved not because of what we’ve done but become of HIS grace!
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2 Timothy 1:9, 10
I’d like for you to consider these questions today: What does grace look like in your own life? Is it hard for you to accept the grace gift that God wants to give you? Do you beat yourself up over mistakes or your past and push aside the grace He is offering?
Are you in the habit of giving grace to others? Sometimes I know I find myself not giving grace to the people in my life. Realizing that I’m not perfect–and accepting that those around me are not perfect either– I want to make a conscious effort to be a wife, mother, and friend who extends grace to the people around me.
I’d like to encourage you today to give thanks to God for the grace He has given to you and to be a person that gives grace to others.
Lord, today I just want to thank You that you have given grace to us. We don’t deserve the gift You’ve given. Help us to accept the grace you pour out and not take that grace for granted.
Have a day of blessings!
I’ve seen many forms of grace working in my life at different times. Saving grace at the moment of salvation; sufficient grace during the midst of storms; transforming grace when the Holy Spirit transformed and changed character flaws in me; and yes grace that others extended to me whom I had wronged.
How thankful I am for God’s grace! If not for grace, I’d be lost. But God loved us so much. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Because of His grace and love towards me, how could I not show grace towards others? Such wonderful questions you posed Bethany.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Extending grace to others is easier for me than accepting grace for myself. I think it is the over-achiever in me….high expectation I place upon myself. I’m good at beating myself up when I mess up or even when I’m forgetful…haven’t decided if that is due to everything on my plate or age…or maybe a combination of both! 😉
One of my favorite definitions of grace is from Ann Lamott’s book “Traveling Mercies”….”I do not at all understand the mystery of grace–only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.”
AMEN!
Nice article.
Bethany, this is beautiful! Thank you for the challenge to look at myself with the questions.
His grace – lately I’ve been looking at it like a canopy, a canopy of grace. It’s over me, it’s shielding and protecting me, it’s a thing of beauty that I can’t replicate at all, only stand in awe and thank Him for it in my life.
Blessings.
You are right Bethany; I cannot grasp the full extend of His grace. May I be gracious to others as He has been to me.
Thank you for the reminder to not hold on to grace, but to give it freely to the ones around us.