GRACE: GOD’S LOVE EXPRESSED TO MANKIND

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 
(John 1:16)

MEDITATION:
The ultimate expression of God's love for mankind is grace. 
Grace is best described as giving us what we do not deserve. 
This is different from mercy, which means not giving us what we do deserve. 
The verse above (John 1:16) implies a constant and overflowing gift of grace. 

As believers, we become recipients of the constant grace from God. 
God’s grace begins when He reaches out to us for salvation. 
John 3:16 specifies that God acted out His love for us 
by sending His Son to keep us from dying in our own sins. 
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Some people want to claim that only selected people 
will receive the grace of God’s salvation. 
But that’s not what this verse says:  it uses the word “whoever” 
meaning anybody and everybody can be saved, “if” they believe in His Son.

God wants to reconstruct us and make us more like Him and His Son.
In order for that to happen, we need a steady supply of God’s grace.
For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image 
of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 
(Romans 8:29)

Here again, some have interpreted this verse in Romans, to mean 
only certain ‘elite’ individuals are predestined to receive His salvation.
But, we have to determine which ones God “foreknew”.
Are there only a select few whom He foreknew?

If so, then what prevented an omniscient (all knowing) God 
from knowing some of the people?
It is a contradiction to say that God is all knowing, 
but yet He doesn’t know some things, or some people.

In Colossians, we can see that when we receive His salvation, God wants to 
change us from who we were and make us new individuals who are more like Him.
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self 
with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being 
renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (Colossians 3:10-11)

That means our ‘knowledge’ of Who God is changed.
Instead of viewing Him as a stern judge bent on punishing our mistakes,
we discover that He is a loving God who wants what is best for us.
And we learn (and accept), that He continually 
works in our lives to make us more like Him.

When we receive God’s salvation, we become eligible for some ‘new rights’.
An important right we gain 
is to be “born of God” (which means we become His adopted children).
As His children, we have the availability to the same benefits as His Son, Jesus.
Not only are we rescued (saved), but we are also 
honored to be His adopted children and we readily accept His changes in us.
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, 
he gave the right to become children of God - children born not 
of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, 
but born of God. (John 1:12-13)

Renewal also means that we develop 
a new set of priorities, interests, attitudes and goals in life.
Making such a drastic and in-depth change requires a steady flow of God’s grace.
No matter how much we need, God keeps making us more and more like Him.
As He changes us, we have a greater capacity for showing grace to others, 
because continues to fill us with His grace.

ACTION:
Think about the times you have offended someone in some way.
Now, remember how you felt when they sincerely forgave you.
There is a new feeling of peace in the relationship 
as both of you can forget the past and move forward with optimism.
You have a new appreciation and warmth for each other.
Instead of avoidance, you now look forward to spending time together.
This happens because the offended showed grace to the offender.

That is exactly what God’s grace to you is all about.
Your sin offended Him, but His grace means He can forgive you,
have a new relationship with you, give you a life of peace and optimism,
develop in you a new appreciation for who He is, 
and create a desire in you to spend more time with Him.

When God’s grace becomes a constant flow into your life,
it changes you so that His grace can flow out to others through you.
God blesses those who belong to Him in many ways, 
but His grace could be the greatest blessing He provides.

As believers, we should never overlook or take for granted His grace.
Grace is what opens the door to a closer relationship with Him 
and creates a willingness to accept the changes He wants to make in us.
We need to walk though the door of His grace in order to be changed.
When He changes us, we learn to love others in spite of their faults.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your complete and absolute grace! 
As You work to remold me into Your image, help me to appreciate 
Your grace and to realize how much it is a reflection of Your love for 
me. Teach me to show grace to others as I recall the grace You have 
shown for me.” 

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