Grace is the unmerited favor granted to us by our loving God. Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:4-6 as “In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” This, of course refers to the ultimate example of unearned favor and grace that comes to us through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross to cover our sins.
As Christians, we are also called to show grace in our daily lives as we walk in a way that follows the example of Christ. We are commanded to perform acts of grace to our fellow believers. As John wrote to the early church in 1 John 3:16-18, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
These need not be onerous or costly acts of love and kindness. My recent experience of kind acts that showed the love of Christ was much simpler: soup, casseroles, pastas, and desserts. I read encouraging cards, texts, and emails. Phone calls reminded me of the prayers and affection that brought my situation to their minds. These were practical, thoughtful, and comforting during a stressful time. My fellow Christians were sharing their faith by using God-given gifts. Paul reminded early Christians in Romans 12:6-8: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
A Christian is also called and challenged to show grace to all people to show forth the Christ’s love in this world. Jesus showed us how to do this throughout his earthly ministry. Examples such as speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4, healing the crippled woman in Luke 13, as well as many others in Matthew 14: “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” In 1 Timothy 1:16 we read: “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” We are to model acts of grace for the world around us in order to point them to Christ.
Drawing on my recent experience again, my neighbors and friends were witness to the acts of grace performed by my fellow believers. This led to conversations about the Lord and how his church is a vital part of my life. The ministry of members of Hope Presbyterian Church was on display.
Christians are also called to show grace when on the receiving end of the mercy ministries of their fellow believers. Gratitude is a normal response to gifts. But a recipient of ongoing ministry must accept these ministrations with humility and to admit personal limitations that created this need for support. My natural inclination is to be prideful about being self-sufficient. I had to learn that it is an act of grace to allow fellow Christians to administer their gifts on my behalf.
I am grateful for these lessons about grace.