Dear Friends,
The word “grace” appears in the New Testament over 100 times; the apostle Paul used it 80 times. Surprisingly, Jesus never spoke of grace … He lived it.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14 (NIV)
Stories in the Scriptures can help us recognize the nature of grace.
- When Jesus chose Matthew, a hated tax collector as his disciple, he showed us that grace doesn’t take applications, it offers invitations. Grace meets people where they are, not where they ought to be.
“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.” Matthew 9:9
- At the wedding in Cana, Jesus demonstrated that grace comes to us even in the midst of life’s little dilemmas. There is an expression, “Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff.” Grace comes in when the small stuff becomes really big to us.
“The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.”” John 2:1-3 (NLT)
- Jesus touched the leper before he healed him. We don’t have to get cleaned up before we can come to Christ.
“Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.” Matthew 8:3 - Jesus’ encounter with the woman caught in adultery shows that God knows all our secrets and accepts us where we are.
“They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said,“All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.” John 8:7-8
- Jesus words on the cross show that grace is available to each of us.
“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
Luke 23:24a
THERE ARE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS THAT KEEP US FROM REALIZING THE POWER OF GRACE.
“NOT AFTER WHAT I’VE DONE”
Once we start to realize that grace accepts us as we are, we can start to build our own grace story.
“NOT AFTER WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO ME”
We want justice when what is needed is grace. We need to release our hurt and resentments to God.
“And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.” Ephesians 4:26-27
“NOT AFTER WHAT MY LIFE HAS BECOME”
Guilt and pain that we feel because we made a difficult decision can only be released when we believe that God’s grace is greater than anything we have done or has been done to us.
How would you answer the question, “What is grace?” Some might be tempted to rely on a Sunday school definition such as “Grace is unmerited favor,” or “Grace is a gift we need, but cannot earn.” But the best answer is a story – your story of how you have experienced grace. God can help you write a new story, and the title is, “Grace is greater.”
ACTION PLAN: We may see grace without recognizing it; we may offer grace without realizing it. This week, make a note of times when you have experienced grace, and share your “grace stories” with others.
ACTION PLAN: If you have been limited by any of the “Not after” thoughts that keep us from realizing the power of grace, pray that God will show you his grace by freeing you from that kind of thinking.
ACTION PLAN: Help others find grace by volunteering to serve at your church at Easter.
Verse for the Week:
“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 (NIV)
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Because He Loves Us Press 