Grace

Grace, we all want it, and we struggle to give it. We also struggle to define it, even though we have experienced it. Traditionally, grace is defined as the unmerited and undeserved favor of God. So, when Paul says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God”, in Ephesians 2:8, the focus is on the fact that we did not earn this gift of salvation but that it was given or bestowed to us by our loving and gracious Heavenly Father. Often times it is easier to identify acts of grace. The woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her hair experienced His grace. Zacchaeus experience God’s grace. Neither of them had a claim to say they deserved God’s favor, but out of Jesus’ abundant love they were given grace and mercy. Ephesians 2:4-5, 4 “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us. 5 “Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” ,points out that grace toward us flows from God’s character. Because He loved us He showed mercy, even thought we were completely dead in sin. When Paul says, we are saved by grace, this statement says more about God than it does about us.

What do I do now that I have experienced God’s life changing grace? Is there a requirement on me now? Yes! We must share it with others. Not only what God has done for us but also, we must extend grace to those we encounter. They have not done anything to desire grace from me or you but because I have experienced God’s grace, I am obligated to share it with others. In Mathew 18 we are told a parable of an unforgiving servant who had experienced grace from his master. There are consequences for not sharing grace. I think the question for today is, who do I need to show grace to today? If our heart is not willing, then maybe we need to back up and look at all that God has done for me.