How Grace Works

John 3:16-17 (NASB) “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”

Often times I think of the phrase, “If I had a nickel for every time…” It really applies to grace and forgiveness. If I had a nickel for every time I needed to forgive someone, I would be a rich man. But, if I had a nickel for all the times people needed to forgive me I would be far richer and my bank account would be growing daily.

We see how others hurt and offend us but we don’t recognize the hurts and offences that we so easily dish out to others. We judge, we gossip, we shun those beneath us, we stir up strife, we argue, and our tongue is wielded as a dangerous weapon. We rigidly adhere to our own fundamental beliefs and consider everyone else wrong. This blindness to ourselves comes with no excuse between us and God. We are indeed guilty. All of us!

Yet the Father in His infinite patience and grace sent us His Son to repair the break between us and Him. And Jesus willingly came to accomplish the restoration. We are to follow Their example in our relationships with each other. Our goal should be to become imitators of Christ especially in the area of boundless grace. Because grace, like love, has no limit.

Grace can never be earned. We will never be good enough to deserve grace. Grace then is a gift by God to us. We in turn must offer our own personal gift of grace to all. To our family, to other believers, and to the lost and floundering. To all! The both good and terrifying news is that Matthew quoted Jesus as saying, “With what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.” So, measure out grace with all your heart and it will be returned back to you. Show thoughtfulness to others. Be gentle. Be caring. Show understanding. Leave all judgement behind you. And always forgive!

If your life is full of grace and forgiveness, then you can be assured of the Father’s response to you! Let’s watch our tongues. Let’s watch our thoughts. Let’s watch our hearts. To live in grace is to live in peace. Please cherish the grace gifted to you and in turn give grace abundantly to all.

Amen?