The Choice of Grace

From The Voices and The Choices by Roxanne Parks on YouVersion

Grace is defined as the free unmerited love and favor of God. What a gift! Since we are all sinners, we all need the free gift of grace. No one is exempt. This is our common ground. Everyone is beautiful (as created by God), yet everyone is messy (as born with a sin condition). #beautifulbutmessy. We cannot know the backstory or the strongholds behind others we encounter. We cannot know the trials and hardships that they have endured. We can simply know that we all need to be loved. Unconditional love can only be extended from a heart of compassion and grace. This is the Father’s heart for each of us.

Ephesians 2:8-9 – For you are saved by grace  through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift —  not from works, so that no one can boast.

I happen to believe that no one is trying to mess their life up and truly get it wrong. I do know that many are confused, but I have been confused too. I do know that people can be impatient, but so can I. I do know that people make mistakes, but so do I. Because of these truths, I have made the habit of giving people the benefit of the doubt. It is a freeing practice!

If they didn’t really deserve that benefit, then I showed extended grace. If they really did deserve that benefit, then I am glad to have offered such. The world would be a much better place if we all extended grace, wrapped in compassion and forgiveness, for the weaknesses in ourselves and others.

James 4:6 – But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

It is a beautiful act of humility to extend the gift of grace which we have received from our Heavenly Father. We cannot stand proud, as God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

2 Corinthians 12:9 – But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power   is perfected in weakness.”   Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.

The Holy Spirit can give us the strength and the resolve to be gracious in all things. We all are grateful for a “low-maintenance, understanding grace-filled” friend.

Choose to receive the grace of the Father and then extend it to others.

Ponder:

How could understanding the power of grace given help you with a more compassionate heart for yourself and others?

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the gift of Your grace. Help me receive that gift and then, in turn, offer it to others.