Grace

"Timmy had been misbehaving and was sent to his room.  After a while he emerged and informed his mother that he had thought it over and then said a prayer.   "Fine", said the pleased mother. "If you ask God to help you not misbehave, He will help you."   "Oh, I didn't ask Him to help me not misbehave," said Timmy. "I asked Him to help you put up with me."

God puts up with a lot, but he still loves us in spite of all that we do wrong.  Remember, God loves us for who we are, not what we do.  Yes, God wants our faithfulness, commitment, and our spiritual loyalty.  He wants our faith to grow.  He desires for each of us to be in the Word.  God loves for us to talk to Him.  Loving one another deeply from the heart is a God trait.  And, living the Christians life is demonstrating integrity.  However, no one is perfect and in all of our inconsistencies, failures and disappointing moments, God still loves us for who we are and gives grace abundantly. 

What is God’s Grace?  Grace comes from the Latin and Greek origin that means,  favor or kindness shown without merit.

When we use Grace in reference to God, this word defines His heart.  Ephesians 2:8 says "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."  God’s grace is His kindness towards us in spite of our actions or behavior.  Yes, I understand that Romans 6:1 says that we cannot keep on sinning so that grace may increase.  However, in our daily pursuit of living under grace, we do fall short of the glory of God.  This is the very reason why grace is so important to the believer.

God defines himself in Exodus 34:6 as the merciful and gracious God, who is slow to anger and rich in unfailing love and faithfulness."  God's grace is amazing because He forgives us of our sins!   Romans 3:24 says that we are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."  To be justified means that we are declared free.

The essence of the Gospel is Grace.  Forgiveness.  Mercy.  Hope.  Never merited, but always given.  I do because I love God, not because I am trying to earn my salvation, eternal home, or for God to love me.  My faith propels me to be obedient not because I am earning extra points in the spiritual life, but because I have a deep and profound love for God. 

God gives grace because He loves us.  I give him my life because I love Him. 

Remember, Be God Controlled!

Brian