GRACE DEFINED AND SHARED

If you have been keeping up with my blog, you know that I consider grace as receiving what one does not deserve. It is not earned. It is a gift. And, it tells us much more about the Giver than it does about the one receiving it. Gifts, by their very nature, are most often motivated by love. When He gave His Son to die for all of creation, He did it out of love. He revealed through His Word that He was the One Who provided reconciliation between His estranged creation and Himself. He wanted to share with mankind His friendship and give us the joy of knowing Him. He loves the sound of our hymns of praise because He knows that our hearts "swell" when we consider His majesty and His love for us. He is a Father watching His children play and laugh and sing.

God's grace is awesome and complex. It is the basis for the following:

*  God draws mankind to Himself - John 6:44
*  God convicts us of sin - John 16:7-11
*  God gives us faith to believe - Ephesians 2:8-9
*  God regenerates us with the new birth - John 3:3-8
*  God changes us into His likeness - 2 Corinthians 5:17
*  God disciplines us in love - Hebrews 2:3-11; Philippians 1:6; 2:13
*  God completes the transformation - Romans 8:29; 1 Corinthians 1:8; 15:49;
    Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 1:6; 2:13; and 1 John 3:2

Because all the work involved in our redemption, sanctification, and glorification is done for us by God, the most obvious characteristic of those who understand His completed work on their behalf, is humility. God must receive all the glory for our salvation. Otherwise, we are taking credit for what He has done and is doing. Such is blasphemy and arrogance. What we received as a gift is to His glory alone. Praise Him!

This year, as birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays approach, instead of focusing upon the giving of gifts, why not give something that directs the recipient's attention toward the greatest Gift ever given: Jesus. He was given for us by God the Father, and He gave Himself through obedience to the Father's will. Be sure to thank Him and share what He has done with those you love. In fact, share Him with those you have trouble loving. Who knows, you might see a change in them that will make them easier for you to love. Remember, God loves them, too.

 

Freely, you have received; therefore, freely give:  pass it on!