Grace is a word we think we understand, especially if we have followed Christ for any length of time. But I’m discovering as I talk with people that grace is often misunderstood. And even if we understand it, grace can be hard for us to believe and receive.
The word grace finds its way into our vocabulary all the time. Many people “say grace” before meals, acknowledging daily bread as a gift from God. We are grateful for someone’s kindness, gratified by good news, congratulated when successful, gracious in hosting friends. When a person’s service pleases us, we leave a gratuity.
If you start to listen for it, you realize the word grace is used all the time in our world: a graceful athlete, a grace note (musical note), a grace period.
Grace is "the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it.” Grace comes from the Greek Word “charis” literally meaning “free gift.”
Unmerited. Unearned. Undeserved.
Grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us more—no amount of spiritual disciplines, no amount of Bible knowledge gained, no amount of serving or helping the poor.
And grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us less. Grace means that God already loves us as much as an infinite God can possibly love.
“… But where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20)
In my life I have struggled with grace. I believe in God’s grace. I want his grace. I desperately need God’s grace. But I’ve struggled in my life to understand it and to receive it.
Grace is not earned, it is offered.
Ephesians 2:8-9 – “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.”
Listen to what Paul is saying here…Grace is received as we acknowledge Jesus as God’s Son. It begins with faith. Grace is activated in our life when we place our faith in Jesus Christ – a decision to believe that Jesus is who he says he is. Grace begins with a decision to trust in his death on the cross for the payment of our sins.
It’s also important to know that grace is not an excuse to sin. It is not a license to sin. God’s Word gives us guidelines for living. The goal of the Christian life is to be like Jesus. Grace leads us to obedience. God’s grace accepts us as we are, but it doesn’t leave us there.
Today’s Challenge: We’ll spend a lifetime trying to understand the grace of God, but the best way to do so is to receive it. And if you know Jesus as your savior, take some time today to thank him for his Amazing Grace.
