There once was a kid named John. John was a rule-breaker. He cheated on tests. He lied to his parents. He was mean to the kids he didn’t like. One day, as John was walking around the video game store, he saw a game that he’d been wanting to get for WEEKS, but he didn’t have enough money for it. So, he grabbed the game, looked around to see if anyone was watching, and ran out the door. But John was caught. His father was called to pick him up. John apologized to his father, not only for his theft but for his other sins as well, and his father forgave him without chastising or berating him. He paid for the stolen game and took John home. Instead of making John pay him back for the game, he let him keep the game for free. Then, he took John to Disney World for a week. While many would say this is poor discipline or bad parenting, others could call it grace.
Grace is receiving something that you cannot earn and do not deserve. It is unmerited favor. John surely did not earn or deserve the trip to Disney World after making all those bad choices, but his father loved him and wanted to give him good things. While John and his father are completely fictional characters, John’s story plays out in our lives. We are sinful creatures with bad habits, but we have a Father who loves to give us good things that we cannot earn and do not deserve. Our God is gracious!
“The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Psalm 145:8, ESV
We make many bad choices in our lives, but our Heavenly Father still loves us! Our God is so gracious to us, and He gives us so many things that we do not deserve! God is full of grace (John 1:14), and He sits on a throne of grace that we can boldly and confidently approach in times of need (Hebrews 4:16). When we repent of our sin, He saves and justifies us by giving us His grace as a free gift (Romans 3:23-24). We cannot earn this grace by doing good works (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 11:6). From Him, we receive grace upon grace every day (John 1:16). God’s grace trains us to live in godliness and reject sin (Titus 2:11-12), and it is sufficient for us at all times (2 Corinthians 12:9). Our lives on this earth, and our future eternal lives in heaven are examples of our God’s amazing grace! While writing about God’s graciousness, Jen Wilkin said-
“His grace is the expression of his love toward sinners, a demonstration of favor that is not merely adequate, but abundant.”[1]
Our gracious Heavenly Father loves His sinful children, and He shows us that love by giving us abundant grace. Through His abundant grace, God has gifted each one of us with certain gifts. Some of us are excellent teachers of God’s Word. Some of us have a heart for serving others and showing mercy. Some can lead a group in a godly way, and some can encourage others to be strong in their faith (Romans 12:3-8). God has graciously given us these spiritual gifts so that we can serve others and show them grace.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” 1 Peter 4:10
Our God is gracious, and out of His grace, He has given you specific spiritual gifts to serve those around you. Whether your gift is teaching, serving, showing mercy, leading, encouraging, or something else, use your God-given gift today to serve your family, your friends, your co-workers, and anyone else you encounter. Show grace to everyone, and pray that God would give you grace and strength to do so.
“Turn to me and be gracious to me; give Your strength to Your servant…” Psalm 86:16a
[1] Jen Wilkin, In His Image: 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018), 86-87.
