Valentines Day has come and gone. Long Gone. Presents have been given to the grandboys. They live just a little closer to us. The twin grandgirls live a bit farther and are super busy being in middle school, active in sports, music, and social butterflies. Their gifts are awaiting them on the Hoosier cabinet. It doesn’t matter when, they are for M&M.
What is Grace? The dictionary says it is the “free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessing”. It is something that’s free and not earned. God’s grace of salvation is a Gift. Like an Easter or Christmas gift. Parents or grandparents buy gifts days or weeks ahead and wrap them up. Then they wait, like with the Valentine gifts. The gifts are there whenever the children choose to receive them. They didn’t do anything to earn them. These are gifts, plain and simple.
Salvation is like that in a way. It is God’s gift to us. Jesus is the gift. The sacrificial Lamb that died on the cross so that our sins would become His sins. He paid the price himself. The Bible explains that you cannot earn salvation. You do not receive it by good works or deeds. There isn’t anything you have to do or be to obtain it. It comes from accepting and believing Jesus Christ is God’s son and that He died for you and me to have life eternal. He was resurrected and ascended into Heaven. That’s all there is to it. Just accept and believe. After accepting Jesus you will want to be a better person. The Holy Spirit will live inside you and help. You desire to read His Word and study it. The Bible will be His letter, His love letter, to you. Slowly you will notice yourself changing for the better. Your future looks better, happier, full of hope.
Grace isn’t just for us to receive from God. We need to show grace to others. Share grace. Think about when you become testy in traffic when someone cuts you off. Show grace. Don’t yell, honk your horn or make gestures. Show grace. Hubby forget to put the ice cream back in the freezer and it made a big mess melting everywhere? You’ve got it. Show grace. Shouldn’t he get grace from the love of his life? How about the slowest check out person in the store just switched to your lane. Show grace. We have no idea what a difference Grace would make in their life. Think before reacting. Spread some grace and watch what happens. There will be less stress and more Jesus in your life.
” For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.” Eph. 2: 8-9 NIV
Abba's Prayer Warrior Princess 