Barbra Gentry-Pugh

The Gift of God’s Grace

December 22, 2024

^“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NASB)

”And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NASB)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB)

There are some things in life that we will never fully understand. One is the mystery of God and the transforming power of His mercy and grace!

The Gift of God’s Grace is one of the most transformative gifts God has given to humanity. It is a gift unlike any other. While His gift of grace forgives, it also transforms. The mystery deepens as we realize that God’s grace doesn’t just pardon our sins, it empowers us to live differently. It transforms every aspect of our lives, from our salvation to the daily provisions we receive in times of need. It is a gift freely given, but one that requires our acceptance and response. It’s often described as God’s unmerited favor, something we can’t earn or deserve because of His love. 2 Corinthians 5:17, says grace makes us new creations in Christ.

The Gift of God’s Grace is not just a concept; it is an encounter with God’s unfathomable love. This encounter often leaves us awestruck because it surpasses our expectations and understanding. The mystery lies in the way His gift of grace works, how it is given freely to the undeserving, how it defies every human perception of justice and fairness.

The Gift of God’s Grace is God’s voluntary and loving favor given to those He saves. No devout, religious, intellectual, or moral effort can gain it, because it comes only from God’s mercy and love. God’s gift of Grace originates from His character; it reflects His love and mercy, extending salvation and relationship to us. Without God’s gift of grace, no person can be saved. To receive it, we must acknowledge that we cannot save ourselves, that only God can save us, and that our only way to receive this loving favor is by faith in Christ

The Gift of God’s Grace is mercy when we don’t expect it. The word translated “grace” in the New Testament comes from the Greek word charis, which means “favor, blessing, or kindness.” We can all extend grace to others; but when the word grace is used in connection with God, it takes on a more powerful meaning.

Again, Where Does This Gift of Grace Come From? How do we receive it?

~ Grace begins with God and is given freely by God. His graciousness to us is our example for extending grace and mercy to others. Again, God’s grace cannot be earned it is freely given. Psalm 84:11 reminds us that He gives us grace and glory. No good thing will the Lord withhold from those who do what is right – PRAISE GOD.

~ In Old Testament times, God gave a code of laws to show His people how to live for Him until Jesus and the Holy Spirit came. Following these laws didn’t earn salvation but simply illustrated what a life transformed by the Holy Spirit would be like. With the coming of Jesus, we no longer have to slavishly follow these laws because, by His gift of grace, we have been transformed on the inside so that we want to live pure lives for Him. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us again that God saved you by His special favor when you believed.

~ It is by God’s grace that He decided to offer us the gift of salvation. There is nothing we can do to earn it. We simply receive it with faith and in thanks. John 1:16-17. The law was given through Moses; God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.

~ When we arrive at God’s very throne through prayer, we must linger to receive His grace. Hebrews 4:16, “Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.”

What does grace mean to you, and how have you experienced it in your life?

What is your salvation story?

The Gift of God’s Grace is a persistent theme in the Bible, and it concludes in the New Testament with the coming of Jesus John 1:17. God’s Grace reflects His deep love for humanity, demonstrated most deeply through Jesus Christ. Scripture tells us how God has extended grace to us by offering us salvation ~ eternal life. We simply accept it by believing that Jesus, God’s Son, died for our sins so we wouldn’t have to. God’s ultimate act of grace is an example of how we are to extend grace to others.

The Gift of God’s Grace is God choosing to bless us rather than curse us as our sin deserves. It is His compassion to the undeserving. Grace transforms every aspect of our lives. The idea that we cannot earn God’s favor often clashes with a performance-driven world. Scriptures like Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” – highlight the mystery of grace. God loved us at our worst and provided a way for us to be reconciled to Him, not through our efforts but through His grace.

The Gift of God’s Grace is complete and extends to everyone, regardless of their past. This inclusivity can be challenging to accept, especially when we see it extended to those who have hurt us or made choices we cannot condone. Yet this very inclusivity reflects the heartbeat of God. It originates from His character; it reflects His love and mercy, extending salvation and relationship to us. The Apostle Paul reminds us again Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith,and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.”

How Do You Handle the Mysteries of God’s Grace?

We Must Approach with Humility. Acknowledge that we may never fully understand grace this side of heaven. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Trusting in God’s higher ways helps us embrace the mystery without needing all the answers. Embrace Humility like the Apostle Paul. He wrestled with his unworthiness as a persecutor of Christians. Yet he became one of the greatest apostles, boldly declaring in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.” Paul’s life reminds us that grace transforms even the most unlikely people, and humility allows us to accept it.

♦ Receive His Grace by Faith. The simplicity of receiving grace requires faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches us that grace is a gift, not something we achieve. By faith, we accept that God’s ways are perfect, even when they don’t align with our understanding.

♦ Reflect it to Others. When we experience the mystery of grace personally, we are called to extend it to others. While it may not always feel fair, showing grace mirrors the heartbeat of God and deepens our understanding of His character.

♦ Rest in its Power. Instead of striving to make sense of why God’s grace is so freely given, we can rest in its sufficiency. As 2 Corinthians 12:9 states, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” When we rest in grace, it becomes a source of strength and renewal.

♦ Share the Mystery. While we may not have all the answers, sharing the story of God’s grace ,both as revealed in Scripture and experienced in our lives, can inspire others to embrace it. Grace is not something we fully comprehend but something we can fully proclaim the story of God’s grace, both as revealed in Scripture and experienced in our lives, can inspire others to embrace it.

♦ Reflect Grace Like Jesus. Jesus embodied grace in His interactions with people, from forgiving the woman caught in adultery in John 8:1-11 to calling Zacchaeus, a tax collector, to repentance in Luke 19:1-10. We are called to reflect His grace by extending forgiveness, compassion, and love to others, even when it’s undeserved.

♦ Accept It With Faith Like Abraham. Abraham, often called the father of faith, is another example of grace in action. He believed God’s promises even when they seemed impossible Romans 4:3. God’s grace was credited to him as righteousness, not because of his works but because of his faith. When faced with the mystery of grace, we too must trust God, even when we don’t understand.

Grace is not something we fully comprehend but something we can fully declare!

HEART CHALLENGE: Will you share the mystery of God’s grace? It invites each of us to marvel at God’s goodness and to respond with gratitude and trust. While we may wrestle with its inexplicable depth, the beauty of grace is that we don’t have to understand it fully to experience its life-changing power. We are simply called to receive it, live in it, and reflect it to a world that desperately needs it.

The Mystery of God Gift of Grace is:

♦ Saving Grace: The ultimate demonstration of grace is Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, reconciling humanity to God. Salvation is offered as a gift, not as a reward for good deeds.

♦ Sustaining Grace: Beyond salvation, grace empowers believers to live for Christ daily, especially in struggles. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

God’s Grace in Action

♦ Forgiveness: Grace allows us to forgive ourselves and others. When we grasp the extent of God’s grace, we are moved to extend it to others.

♦ Transformation: Grace is not just about overlooking sins but about empowering us to live righteous lives.

♦ Kindness: Recognizing grace leads us to share freely with others, not just materially but also in love, kindness, and understanding.

♦ Share the Mystery: While we may not have all the answers, sharing the story of God’s grace, both as revealed in Scripture and experienced in our lives, can inspire others to embrace it.

A GRACEFUL HEART: The mystery of grace invites us to stop striving and start resting in God’s love. We may not fully understand why God would lavish us with such a gift, but we don’t need to. Grace calls us to trust in God’s character, embrace His forgiveness, and let it transform us from the inside out.

In this season of giving, we often focus on tangible presents wrapped in bows and ribbons. Yet the greatest gift ever given came in the form of a child, born in a manger, who would one day bear the weight of our sins. This gift of Jesus Christ, is the ultimate expression of grace, offering us redemption, forgiveness, and eternal life. As we reflect on this incredible truth, let us consider the depth of God’s grace and how it transforms our lives.

In the words of Amazing Grace, grace truly is “sweet”- it saves, sustains, and leads us home. May we stand in awe of this mystery and allow it to shape our lives in profound ways.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for Your authoritative, inerrant, and inspired Word that gives us clear instructions on how we can receive Your incredible gift of grace. We are humbled by Your love and mercy, which we could never earn. Help me to receive Your grace fully, live it out daily, and share it freely with others. May our lives reflect the beauty of this gift of grace, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen.