Embrace Grace

Grace is such a beautiful word.  What does it mean to us as a believer in Jesus?  Grace is "the love and mercy given to us by God because God desires us to have it, not because of anything we have done to earn it".  When I come before the Lord reading his word, praying and eager to sense his presence, I have to admit some days I struggle.  Those days frustrate me because I’m so anxious to truly feel I have been in his presence.  Then one morning the Lord gave me a sweet and gentle reminder.  I am in his presence, no matter what I might feel.  His grace is a perfect picture of this.  As we read in the book of Romans 8:38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  What a great reminder that in spite of all of life’s distractions, heartaches, & business, he is faithful because of his grace.  It is not what we do in those times we are seeking the Lord that determines his presence.  It isn’t us working to be “perfect” Christians.  It isn’t having a rigorous and disciplined quiet time either.  All it takes to be in his presence & know him is to be willing to come before him. 

 

How is this possible and why?  There is one reason and it is the cross.  The cross makes grace happen.  God sent his son to die on the cross so we can be with him.  Because of this sacrifice, our sins are forgiven and we can stand before a holy God - not just when we step into eternity but even today.  This is such a beautiful gift our Heavenly Father has provided for his children.  When we discover this grace, we discover the love of God.  Ephesians 2:4-5 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,  even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).”  No matter where you are in life or what you have done or haven’t, God wants to shower you with his grace.  This is a difficult concept for us to understand because everything in this world requires something from us.  It is hard to imagine something so incredible and free.

 

In closing, remember his grace is also sufficient.   2 Corinthians 12:9 “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”  Life brings challenges:  when sickness comes – the Lord’s grace will heal & establish a dependence on Him like never before, when resources are scarce – the Lord’s grace ensures he will provide, when faced with a conflict – the Lord’s grace will carry you through it knowing at the foot of his cross & in eternity there is only resolution, when uncertainty arises - the Lord’s grace will provide direction, when people fail you – the Lord’s grace is enough when you place your identity in him and not others, & when faced with a dark season in your life – the Lord’s grace surrounds you regardless of your ability to sense it.  We must place our faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross.