My hope for the New Year is that I will continually grow in the knowledge and grace of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Spending time with Him is a good way to nurture our relationship; however, understanding and cultivating what could be a rather conceptual attribute – not so easy to set up a course of action.  …so I decided to study the word “grace”.

I admit to an extremely limited understanding of grace—if asked to define it, I would pop off with the standardized answer, “unmerited favor”.  I could also assure you that it is something I don’t deserve and I can’t earn.  As my study progressed, though, I realized that I have a very one-dimensional view of a three-dimensional truth; the Holy Spirit through the apostle Peter also confirms the multifaceted character of grace:  “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God…” (1 Peter 4:10).  I so focused my attention on the “unmerited” aspect of grace that I gave little thought to God’s gifts and His favor!

When I think about God’s favor, my thoughts are drawn to the angel’s words as he spoke to Mary, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus…” (Luke 1:30, 31).  God showed His favor to Mary through allowing the life of His Son to grow within her—the same is true for us, too.  Paul referred to the life of Jesus growing in the life of believers in his letter to the Galatians when he wrote, “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you…” (Galatians 4:19). 

The book of Ephesians includes one of the greatest statements about grace:

 “But God who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:4-10).

The outflow of God’s grace in our lives is the “good works” that God prepared for us—we receive salvation by faith and we are designed for good works; we are not saved by good works.  As we grow in God’s grace, His favor will become increasingly evident through the good we do.  This thought dashes any “what’s in it for me” attitude about what it means to “grow in grace”.  Instead, when we realize that, at a time we were our most despicable – “dead in trespasses” – God showed His great love for us, how can we do less for those who have not experienced His saving grace?

My little “yeah, but…” brain-button is pushed with these objections:  “But what about those terrorists who are shooting people, bombing businesses and communities, abusing children, wreaking havoc all over the world?”  “…and what about extortioners and school shooters?  I’m pretty sure I can’t love them or show God’s grace towards evil men and women!”  These are not easy questions and glib answers do not communicate the heart of God.  Jesus instructed us to “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44, 45).  His instructions seem more immediate and personal, and growing in grace exemplifies our ability to follow them.

That doesn’t necessarily answer the bigger questions about the presence of evil in people and in this world; however, I do not think we will ever grasp God’s grace until we see within ourselves the potential for the vilest, most brutal sins. 

God’s grace is rich in wisdom and discretion:  “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence” (Ephesians 1:7).

Grace is necessary for godly service:  “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28).

Unique abilities and characteristics are gifts of His grace:  “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them:  if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:6-8).

Our lives are changed by the grace of God:  “To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of His calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:11, 12).

Grace is good for our hearts:  “Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace” (Hebrew 13:9).

And a characteristic of our speech:  “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6).

I am so grateful for the grace of God!  I look forward to continuing this journey into the realm of God’s grace and experiencing His immeasurable favor throughout all the days of my life!