12/13/2019
Grace... how do we understand its meaning? as used in the Bible, we interpret it to mean mercy, pardon, power, healing, kindness, and in all cases... unwarranted favor. We are told in scripture that it comes to us from God by way of His Son Jesus. However, the Hebrew definition is a bit different, and means to render kindness to another as their superior. In both cases there is an implied sense of beauty associated with the act. So how will God’s grace be given you today? In what beautiful way will grace be rendered in your life?
“(John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
John 1:15-17 ESV
Grace upon grace, this is wonderful indeed! So often we tend to think of God’s grace as a singular entity, but it isn’t. God gives us His grace in so many ways, but all of them flow through Jesus. Our scripture reading says that we can’t see God, but that we have been allowed to see Jesus. Why is this important when it comes to mentioning grace? Why is it that He wants us to see His grace pouring forth from Jesus? It is because there should be no doubt as to where all grace comes from when we receive it... the God of all grace.
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
1 Peter 5:10 ESV
Grace is not a single kindness, and it is not meant to be a simple goodness provided to us. It is not only unwarranted redemption, No, God’s grace is an abundance, and gives us sufficient power and ability to perform every good work that He would have us do; it is the power behind our accomplishing His will.
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8 ESV
So as we go through our day, and we thank God for His grace, we should understand exactly what it is that we are thanking Him for. We should look about ourselves for evidence of His power as it is being given us through Jesus, and employed by our faith to do His will. When we give food to the hungry it is by God’s grace we are able to do that. When we deliver the living water of the gospel to the thirsty, it is by God’s grace we do so. Even the smallest of things in our day that typically go unnoticed, such as our next breath... which when blown into the lungs of a man who is not breathing can, by the grace of God, return life to him. All of these, and so many more, are by grace... God’s grace. Are you ready to see grace in its fullness; perhaps in a new way?
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Grace, and for your Son Jesus Christ through whom it pours out onto us. Thank you Lord for your will, and the strength we gain by that grace to perform all those things necessary for us to accomplish it. We thank you for receiving your grace through Jesus to help others, and for the all the good gifts provided us by those who are graciously doing your will. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God, whose love, goodness, and kindness, are manifest in those who, by your grace, perform your will. We praise your name Gracious Father for the abundance of your grace, and the gift it is to our lives and faith. All glory is yours Heavenly Father, because of your grace that we receive through Jesus. We worship you now and forevermore for the eternity we receive by your glorious and beautiful grace, and through obedience to your good will.
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,”
2 Timothy 1:8-9 ESV
Rich Forbes