Legacy Series - The Gift of Grace
Updated: Oct 23, 2020
Grace! Thank God for it. We would be wrecked without it. Grace is very much like God’s love in that it covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8 NLT).
We know from last month’s blog post (See blog post from September 30th, 2020 entitled, “Legacy Series – The Gift of Love) that wherever the Bible mentions, “The Gift of...” it speaks of God's gift that He owns and bestows upon us. We are also reminded that we must extend God’s gifts to others. Let's talk about The Gift of Grace!
If we operate in the spirit of grace, we do so in the spirit of God's unmerited favor and mercy. Furthermore, if we understand that God is “LOVE,” then it is easy for us to postulate that grace is the unmerited favor and the mercy of “LOVE.”
Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) shows us where we can find access to this gift of grace.
16. "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
In the verse above, we can clearly see that God’s gift of grace is freely available whenever we need it. It then becomes our responsibility to take the steps necessary to access it. Once we access this beautiful gift, is it just for us? Nope! We are required to extend God’s grace to others.
I do not know about you, but I NEED God’s mercy in this season, and I know just where to find it. There is nothing more refreshing than basking in the grace of God as one presents one's heart humbly and contrite before His magnificent throne. It is like a long, hot shower with Living water on a wintery day or a fresh dip in a cool waterfall or stream in the middle of the summer's heat. Psalms 23: 2-3 (NLT) also reminds us that God leads us beside peaceful streams with the intention of renewing our strength and leading us in the right direction. This same God that promised to be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105 NLT) desires us to first accept this cyclical grace by forgiving ourselves and then forgiving others, as He has promised to forgive us.
Listed below are 5 things that grace can do. As you spend personal time with God this week, meditate on these verses of scripture for added strength and clear direction.
1. Grace Can Save The World - Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)
a. 8. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
b. 9. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
2. Grace Makes Us Bold - Romans 15:15 (KJV)
a. 15. Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,
3. Grace Gives Endurance (for thorns/trials). Apostle Paul prayed 3 times for God to remove thorns, but He didn't remove them, did he? Instead God gave him the ability to withstand trials - 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)
a. 9. Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
4. Grace Changes Lives - 1 Corinthians 15:10 (NLT)
a. 10. But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.
5. Grace Inspires Singing (My Personal Favorite) - Colossians 3:16 (KJV)
a. 16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
