Have you ever wondered how God can love someone with so many flaws? Perhaps maybe you've even thought "There is absolutely NO way God would accept me. He's perfect, and I'm ... well far from perfect." Yes, He created us to be in his image, thereby perfect; however after the fall of man, he still gave us another chance.
And chances after that.
Most all of us know the famous verse John 3:16 (KJV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whomsoever believeth in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life. ", but how many of us really understand and grasp the full impact of that?
My personal experiences have lead me to believe there is an abundance of Grace from God. I mean, let's face it. If he can take an ex-druggie, ex-con, ex-con-artist, and use my story and testimony to affect others around me, there's grace, and lots of it. If you've read my other blogs you've read my testimony about my past life. I've been struggling, and seeking God to find a story to share with you about Grace, and I only have one.
I was just about as fouled up as you could be. My family had no idea how to handle me, my friends never really respected me, I mean how could they? I didn't even respect myself. I worshipped the wrong things for a good solid season in my life, yet I can picture God with his angels in heaven, and Satan shows up and says "So you know that guy you told me 29 years ago was yours? The guy you said you had something special planned for? Well looks like you lost that deal. He's all mine." and God turns around, and looks him straight in the eye and says those famous words that have echoed in my head since 2003. "Not yet."
You see, God is a man of few words. He doesn't need to say a lot. Every word he speaks is full of infinite wisdom. I mean, we're talking about the very same God who used his few words to speak things into existence. When he talks to us, he uses a still quiet voice, as if he's sitting next to you, and just suggests things. It's up to us if we listen or not.
When he says just one small word, its powerful enough to create universes. His mere breath can bring life into the dead, and just his touch can heal the wounded.
So, what's Grace?
It's God's favor. Grace is a gift that's given to us, much like everlasting life. Only, you don't have to be a believer or a Christian to receive it. You can be far removed from God like I once was, and still receive grace. The problem is, you probably won't know how to handle it...
Hear me on this. Until you have an active relationship with God, you will never understand what a gift grace is. A perfect example is when he gave us Jesus, his ultimate display of grace. Nobody but his followers, and other believers really appreciated Jesus for who and what he was. He was falsely charged, convicted, beaten, tortured, and crucified. "...and while we were yet sinners, Christ still died for us." (Rom 5:8)
Grace is God saying, "It's okay." or "I forgive you." when we sin. It's something we've never earned, it's something we definitely don't deserve, and it's blessings above and beyond what we can imagine.
Hebrews 4: 16 says "Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].
He always looks out for his sheep, even the lost ones.
Also here's another verse that demonstrates God's grace to the faithful. (Just in case you weren't sure by this point.)
Isaiah 43:2, When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
I was having dinner with my wife, and my brother & sister-in-law, when we were talking about God, and how he already knows the road that we're going to take in life, and has known since before we were ever conceived.
Here is an important verse to remember... it speaks volumes to me.
Jeremiah 1:5 , "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. And before you were born I set you apart ; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations"
I read this time and time again until I realized something I'd missed all these years. "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Webster's dictionary defines the word "know" as 2 primary definitions. 1.) To be sure or certain about, 2.) To be familiar or deeply acquainted with someone (or as friends)
So... what scripture is REALLY saying is God knew me as a person before I was formed in my mother's womb. How profound is that?? He knew everything about you. Your fears, your likes, dislikes, your favorite foods, colors, who your spouse would be, how many kids you will have, etc.
By any logical deduction this would mean that when our souls were in heaven, he knew us personally. By name. He might have even sat down with us, and had lengthy conversations. He knows the mistakes we're going to make down here on earth, and still allowed us to be created in our mother, and born into this world. That's grace.
He shows us Grace because we're connected to him. Just like a parent would show Mercy to their child who purposefully or accidentally spills grape juice on white carpet. (Although he may scold us first...) He only wants the best for us even though we don't deserve it. He gives us his best, even when we only give him our worst. He gives us his first fruits, his firstborn. He wants to put the best robe on our shoulders. He wants us to be washed in the best oils, eat the best food, and live the best life he intended for us to live. Just one catch...
We must have a true relationship with God to fully understand the value of Grace. If we don't, then we'll take it for granted every time.
I'll close with this story.
A woman was driving home from work and she passed a tanker truck with the words G R A C E written on it in green lettering. She laughed as she thought, "Hah, imagine a tanker truck full of Grace. As she passed the car, she saw her car reflection on the glossy side of the truck and thought, "What would my life be if that tanker split open and flooded my car with grace?" God spoke to her and said "A tanker is but an atom to me, and I've given you 2 gallons today already." From then on every time she started to doubt God's love and affection for her, she remembered that tanker full of grace.
My question to you is, how has God shown you Grace today?
