Pastors are notorious for talking about “grace” in the future tense. We say things like, “When Jesus returns we’re going to be able to experience God’s grace.” Or, “If you will take this next step you will experience a grace that can only come from God.” Those statements are true, but they don’t really do justice to the scope of God’s grace. They aren’t complete.
God’s grace isn’t reserved for the future tense. God’s grace is also in the past. We experienced God’s grace the moment we were born. God gave us life. We experienced God’s grace when we received food. God gave us nourishment.
God’s grace isn’t reserved exclusively for just the future or the past either, but God’s grace is also in the present. We experience God’s grace when we awaken in a house. We experience God’s grace when we go to a job. We experience God’s grace when we go to bed with a sense of safety and security. We experience God’s grace when we suffer and yet experience endurance, patience, and hope.
2 Corinthians 12:9 quotes Jesus by saying, ” “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.”
Take an opportunity today to truly live in Grace.
March 25, 2008 at 9:14 am
It has taken me 47 years and the reading of a book called “Forgiveness” (in our church library), to finally realize that I do indeed have God’s Grace right now. I had it yesterday, and I will have it tomorrow and forever. I have no idea why it is such a difficult concept, aside from the fact that our common enemy does “not” want us to understand this. I still fall, I still hurt, and I still feel shame, but I know without a shadow of doubt, that because of God’s grace, I am in the book of life. God is awesome!
March 26, 2008 at 11:56 am
I am reminded on a daily basis of God’s grace in our home. We did not plan on having Mikiah as a part of our family, but sometimes God shows his gracious favor on you and gives you amazing gifts that you did not ask for and did not necessarily want. It just goes to show that God pours out His grace even when we do not recognize it as that. I will be thankful into eternity that this is true of Him.