The Blessing of Grace

 3/2/2021

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

This evening, I am drawn to thinking and writing about grace. I recently read a powerful illustrated book about this topic that hit me right between the eyes. It caused me to question how I am at extending grace to others. Do I operate more in judgement, or in understanding and forgiveness? How do I maneuver this increasingly evil world as a believer? It is clearly getting worse, and I am concerned. I am called to stand up for Biblical principles boldly, but how do I do that and still extend grace to those whose ideals, principles, and values are not aligned with the Word of God?

The only reason I can even extend grace is because Jesus extended it to me on the Cross at Calvary. He died for my sin, and your sin, and everyone’s sin. Salvation through grace requires repentance and coming to Jesus in submission, contrition, and faith. This is something for all people without exception.

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God—Not by works, so that no man can boast.”

Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.”

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Now then, what am I called to do as a disciple of Jesus? In the darkness of this age, with the evil one clearly being firmly entrenched in our world, it is more critical than ever for believers to share the Good News of the Gospel with others. However, we must do this boldly in faith, speaking truth wrapped in love, mercy, and grace. Fear and judgement make us no different than those who do not believe; it actually makes us worse, because we are ambassadors of our Savior. Is this extension of grace easy in this divided and evil world? No it is not, but this is what we are commanded to do. Thankfully, we are not alone in this action, because we have Holy Spirit power and strength. We just cannot let fear and selfishness get in the way of God’s leading, but instead pray for His grace and love to work through us.

1 Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”