Grace

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. Revelation 22:20,21 NIV

One of the definitions of the word grace literally means 'favour', to bend or stoop in kindness to another ... His grace has been termed 'Unearned kindness'

The concept of grace grips me. It is one of the big things that sets the Christian apart, because God gave us His grace when we didn’t deserve it or earn it. We were given a gift, and all we had to do was accept it! The New Testament is riddled with references to the grace of God, and Paul uses it often to explain one of the great benefits of the character of the God we serve.

The last verse in the Bible makes sure the importance of grace isn’t lost on us. He knew we would need to hold on to this truth down through the centuries. When we accept the free gift of salvation through repentance, we are given the free gift of grace. It’s like a bonus. We get eternal salvation, and a big dollop of grace to boot! Then what? Does it have any use or relevance after we are accepted into the family of God? Yes, a thousand times, yes!

It’s not usually seen every day, and not in the places we expect to see it, or even the people we expect to see it from either. But we are in no doubt that it’s unmistakably God’s grace when we experience it and see it in others. I have seen God’s grace shine through (there is no other way to explain it) in the life of a hurting and grieving child of God. You are not looking for it. In fact you can’t expect it, and the person showing this grace isn’t even aware that they are showing one of the characteristics of a Holy God. To tell them what you see only serves to embarrass them, but it’s true nonetheless.

The apostle John was exiled on the island of Patmos, but was called ‘the beloved one’ and the apostle of love. The encouragement seen and experienced between Christians is noted in no better place than in the heart of grace that shines from a believer’s heart and life. It overflows naturally whether in joy or in sorrow, happiness or sadness, life or death, and is a clear unspoken testimony of a child of God. There could be no better way to finish the canon of Scripture which takes us through the ups and downs of life in the 21st century, than: The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.