“Out of His fullness, we have all received grace on top of grace.” John 1:16
In speaking to a friend this morning, I was reminded of just how much we all need grace. To give it to others and to receive it ourselves.
Grace is often talked about in the context of forgiveness, but it is so much more than that. It really is the gift that keeps on giving. It is a gift we can never earn, nor is it a gift we can give for a price (then it wouldn’t be a gift, would it?).
Grace is the means by which we receive salvation, the forgiveness of our sins.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not from yourselves—it is the gift of God. It is not based on deeds, so that no one may boast. ” Ephesians 2:8-9
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We) are set right as a gift of His grace, through the redemption that is in Messiah Yeshua.” Romans 3:23-24
But grace doesn’t stop there. It also teaches us how to live once we are saved.
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, training us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live in a manner that is self-controlled and righteous and godly in the present age. We wait for the blessed hope and appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua. He gave Himself for us so that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and so that He might purify for Himself a chosen people, zealous for good deeds.” Titus 2:11-14
But wait! There’s more! Grace not only saves us, it also teaches us how to live as redeemed children of a holy God. And not only does grace teach us how to live, it gives us the strength to live the righteous life to which we have been called.
“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Messiah may dwell in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Grace saves us, it teaches us, and it strengthens us. None of this salvation process is dependent upon us. Not our merit, not our knowledge, and not our ability. Grace is wrapped up in the presence of a loving God who knows that our flesh is no match for the sin, pain, addiction, trauma, and fear of this world. A God who will go to any lengths to rescue us from all those things. It is a gift that when truly understood, elicits tremendous humility and gratitude, but also brings an awareness of the tremendous responsibility that comes with it.
God rarely gives us a gift that we are meant to keep to ourselves.
“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of the many-sided grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10
Sometimes it’s hard to know how to show grace to others. And even if you know how to, circumstances can make it difficult to want to.
Sometimes the grace we need to give comes in the form of forgiveness. When we realize the immense forgiveness we have been given by God, it makes us more willing to forgive others. This doesn’t mean it’s always easy. It just means that we understand that forgiveness is necessary not only for them, but for us to be able to heal from the offense. When we forgive someone, it may not change them, but it will always change us… and it’s always for the better.
Sometimes grace comes in the form of teaching – think parents, teachers, caregivers, or even friends when we need to speak truth into the lives of others. Correction and reprove, offering godly counsel, and studying the Bible together are all ways we can use grace to teach others.
Sometimes it comes in the form of serving. We serve when we do for others what they can’t do for themselves. We serve when we come alongside someone who is struggling. We serve when we see a need and fill it. We serve when we show compassion, love, or kindness to someone who needs it. When we serve others, we are giving them strength. We are using our strength (physically, emotionally, or through our resources) to give them something they needed or to do something they couldn’t do on their own.
Grace also helps us see beyond the moment, beyond the circumstance, beyond the behavior. Grace helps us see others, to see ourselves, through the eyes of the One from whom all grace flows. And that is when grace can truly have its perfect work.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves in tender compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience— bearing with one another and forgiving each other, if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord pardoned you, so also you must pardon others. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfect harmony. Let the shalom (peace) of Messiah rule in your hearts—to this shalom (peace) you were surely called in one body. Also be thankful. Let the word of Messiah dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:12-17
“Be tenderly devoted to one another in brotherly love; outdo one another in giving honor. Do not be lagging in zeal; be fervent in spirit. Keep serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, enduring in distress, persisting in prayer, contributing to the needs of the believers, extending hospitality. Bless those who persecute you—bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Repay no one evil for evil; give thought to what is good in the eyes of all people. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live in shalom with all people.” Romans 12:10-18
“With this in mind, we pray for you constantly, that our God may consider you worthy of the calling and fulfill with power every good desire and work of faith, so the name of our Lord Yeshua may be glorified in you, and you in Him, in keeping with the grace of our God and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
A Scarlet Cord 