God’s Grace for the week of October 18, 2020 When somebody mentions the term “God’s grace,” what comes to mind? Do you think of God’s unmerited favor towards us sinners… for by grace we are saved…there but for the grace of God goes I. No matter whether we think of God’s grace only in a “saving sense,” it- Grace- impacts every aspect of God’s dealing with us human being. Why do we experience God’s grace? It is because of God’s nature, because of His graciousness. In Exodus 34:6, we find out that God is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding with love and faithfulness. God is gracious, wanting the best for us. He is always gracious. He does not decide to show us grace. Rather, that is just who He is... He demonstrates grace in everything He does. Both the Greek and Hebrew define Grace as “the state of kindness and favor toward someone…and God could not act in a more graceful way than “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life.” [John 3:16.] Not only that, “but because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. [Ephesians 2,4-5.] Many of us agree that “for sin shall not be our master, because we are not under law, but under grace.” [Romans 6:14]. Just as Paul in his writings to Peter begins “Grace and peace be yours in abundance,” I feel that God wants grace and peace to be abundant in our lives, and He knows that this is impossible without His grace. It is all about grace- there is no aspect of God’s dealing with us- His creation- that does not involve His grace. A gracious God cannot fail to demonstrate grace in all He does… a truth that took me a long time to “take in.” Among many of the other verses regarding God’s grace in the Bible:

• “For from His fullness we have all received grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses, grace and faith through Jesus Christ. [John1:16-17.] • For by faith you have been saved through faith. This is not your doing, it is the gift of God.” [Ephesians 2:8.] • ….” for all who have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…”. [Romans 3:23-24.] • “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” [Hebrews 4:16.] • And God is able to make all grace so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times. • You may abound in every good thing. God’s grace is available to us at all times…” [ 2 Cor.9:8] • But for the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace for me was not in vain, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is in me.” [1Cor. 15:10] • “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. [James 4:6.]

Perhaps quotes from others might help position God’s grace in your life: - “Above all the grace that Christ gives to His beloved is that of overcoming self.” - Francis of Assisi - “The Grace of God is sufficient. Anywhere, any day; it remains available all the time.” - “God’s mercy and grace gives me hope, for myself, and our world.” - Billy Graham - "When we show God’s love and grace to ourselves and the people around us, we become living breathing examples of His perfect love.” - Emily Ley - “Grace must find expression in life, otherwise it is not Grace.” - Karl Barth

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