Receiving Grace - Adjective, Noun or Verb?
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For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that Whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life! -- John 3:16 (NKJV)
Recently, I was contemplating the idea of grace and how many different applications we have in our culture for that particular word. Think with me for a minute. Grace can be a woman's name. Grace can be a mealtime prayer. Grace can be the fluid motion of an ice skater performing for an audience. Grace can be the wide receiver jumping over defensive ends blocking his run to the end zone. But there is one definition that often gets overlooked.
Grace from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Stopped me in my tracks! Webster and others define grace for the believer as unmerited favor or kindness that can never be repaid to the Giver. As it is written in Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (NKJV)
The gift of God so that no one can brag about it. Wow!
Grace is like the most UNEXPECTED and amazingly EXTRAVAGANT gift that anyone could ever give. Grace is given to us out of His love for the unlovely, out of His joy for the melancholy and depressed ones, out of His favor and blessings for those who in faith believe, out of His compassion for those who are humble and meek! Indeed!
What other needs can you possibly have or imagine that are more crucial or important than to receive His grace and eternal life? This idea is so simple, yet so foundational to everything about our faith. Not only did the Lord love us so much that He made a way, by His Grace, but He also paid the full cost Himself. All so that we, who are as filthy rags to Him, (see Isaiah 64:6), might have a way to a right relationship to spend eternity with Him. No strings attached - just love and joy when we align our hearts with Him by confessing our sins and moving in true repentance away from our old sinful lifestyles.
God's plan for our salvation is simple. Don't make it difficult or try to make it a matter of performance or striving. As Matthew 6:33 tells us "But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (NKJV)
Pray - Confess - Repent - Grace
Come to Jesus like a child, share your heart issues with Him. Pray a sincere prayer of confession, telling Him everything. And repent, turn away from that old sinful life, and turn your heart to Him. And receive His Grace.
Behold, He makes all things new!
Questions for Reflection:
1. What things do you need to confess or turn away from by repentance?
2. How can we pray for you as you walk toward Jesus and His loving Grace?
