“Amazing Grace”
“Fall from Grace”
“Say Grace”
“In Good Graces”
“By the Grace of God”
GRACE is a word that adorns many situations.
What does GRACE really mean?
Some dictionary definitions include:
- unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification
- a virtue coming from God
- sanctification enjoyed through divine assistance
- disposition to or an act or instance of kindness, courtesy, or clemency
- a special favor
- a charming or attractive trait or characteristic
But what about people who are full of grace?
How do you describe that person?
A person who displays grace is the person that understands and recognizes God’s grace in their life. [see below]
Grace-full is a person who is not judgmental, who knows that we all need acceptance and understanding, and who extends love and kindness when we mess up. A grace-full person is a grace-filled person.
State of Grace ……
The ultimate test of our spirituality is the measure of our amazement at the grace of God. Martin Lloyd-Jones
The ultimate test of our spirituality is the measure of our amazement at the grace of God. Martin Lloyd-Jones
Grace is getting what I don’t deserve. It is based on God’s mercy, not my merit.
Christians live every day by the grace of God. I am saved by grace. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
I grow in grace.
… but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 2:18
God’s grace is enough for all that I encounter in life.
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.
2 Corinthians 9:8
God gave me a spiritual gift by grace.
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.
Romans 12:6
Good Grace ….
Evidence we really understand God’s grace will be seen in our desire and ability to show God’s grace. Randy Alcorn
Grace is a defining characteristic of Christians. It is the basis of our faith, our forgiveness. No other religion includes receiving something you don’t deserve.
Yet, many Christians find it hard to exhibit grace. The other person’s sin is so much greater, worse, more hurtful than my sin. I may compare the life of another to others but more often, I will compare it to an ideal, to what I think it should be.
We all want grace, but we cannot enjoy grace when there is an attitude of comparing. Jerry Bridges
We all want grace shown to us. But to show it to others, we must really understand the full extent of God’s grace. How little we deserve, but how much we are given.
Some people don’t have a box to put that in. That can’t conceive of the magnitude of grace because they have never experienced it. I can bring another to a place of receiving God’s grace when I show them grace.
Grace looks like forgiveness and acceptance. We have to experience the healing power of God’s grace to be grace-filled.
Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God.
Hebrews 12:15 (NLT)
God's grace takes various forms . . . grace is far more than "niceness." It's a powerful force, the force of forgiveness and reconciliation and transformation. . . For me, the goal in each case is to begin to see others through what I call "grace-healed eyes.” Philip Yancey
Amazing Grace ….
The meaning of life. The wasted years of life. The poor choices of life. God answers the mess of life with one word: ‘grace.'
Max Lucado
The meaning of life. The wasted years of life. The poor choices of life. God answers the mess of life with one word: ‘grace.'
Max Lucado
Issac Newton wrote the hymn, Amazing Grace, as a testimony to his own experience of with God. God met him in a storm and his life changed. The hymn was a reflection of his spiritual growth and love for the Lord. That hymn has become one of the most recognized songs in America. It has brought healing, encouragement, and tears to many. It is estimated that the song is performed at least 10 million times annually.
As each of us looks at the many messes of our own lives and compare it to the never ending love of God, we too are amazed at His grace.
The grace of God is dangerous. It's lavish, excessive, outrageous, and scandalous. God's grace is ridiculously inclusive. Apparently God doesn't care who He loves. He is not very careful about the people He calls His friends or the people He calls His Church. Mike Yaconelli
