Grace comes to us in many ways. Sometimes it arrives with loud hallelujahs–as at the cure of a life-threatening illness. It may come with clanging church bells marking the end of a war. It dances in the recessional after a wedding. It sings in the wail of a newborn baby. It parks peace in our hearts when we don’t know whether or not the cancer will be stopped. It exhales in relief when the near miss does not become an accident. It often crashes into our lives in ways we can’t miss–a welcome intrusion.
More often, grace comes quietly. Silent, it is frequently unnoticed. It is grace that opens or closes doors in our circumstances to provide guidance. It washes over us in a cool breeze on a summer day. It smiles at us in the encouragement from a friend.
It shows up when my husband goes willingly to the store when I discover a missing ingredient in the middle of meal preparation. It is on display when a friend or co-worker takes a moment, in the midst of busy-ness, to listen.
It is grace when a new day arrives. Or a new season. Or another year.
It flows over us in the kindness of strangers. It is in the gentle rain that waters the earth and clears the air. It is in the sunshine after a storm.
Grace is the undeserved favor we did nothing to earn. It just comes. It is free. Grace- filled moments occupy our hours and establish our days.
It is God’s grace that is sufficient when we are weak. It is by His grace that we can approach an Almighty God in prayer.
God gives grace generously. The greatest evidence of it is that we can be saved into relationship with Him. He offers an eternal relationship that far exceeds and transcends the best of this world. He will judge and destroy all that is evil. It is not something we can earn by doing good works. We receive it by faith (Ephesians 2:8). By His generosity, it is available to everyone (Titus 2:11). He does not withhold any good thing from those who walk in His righteousness (Psalm 84:11).
Grace comes to us through Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of God’s grace and truth. In Him, we receive grace upon grace. He showed His great love for us by dying on the cross for our sin. His death saves us from condemnation for our sin when we turn to Him in faith. His resurrection shows that He conquered death so that we could live with Him eternally. That is grace.
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. Romans 5:8-9
Blessings,
Phyllis
I would love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment below.
Image by Paul KIm from Pixabay
Copyright 2023 Phyllis L. Farringer
That all makes perfect sense to me.
I’m glad it does, George. Thank you.
Phyllis, your opening descriptions of grace were beautifully written! Many will identify with those experiences. Most of all, you focused on the lasting works of God’s grace through Christ Jesus—his sacrificial death and resurrection. Through the Holy Spirit Christ-followers worldwide receive loving grace over and over again every day!
Thank you, Charlotte