What Does Grace Mean To You?
I’m thinking a lot lately, really the last few years, about the word grace. What a beautiful word!
According to Dictionary.com it means:
- elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action.
- a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment.
- favor or good will.
- a manifestation of favor, esp. by a superior
- mercy; clemency; pardon: an act of grace.
- favor shown in granting a delay or temporary immunity.
The definitions continue under the heading of “Theology”:
- the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.
- the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.
- a virtue or excellence of divine origin: the Christian graces.
- the condition of being in God’s favor or one of the elect.
- moral strength
The founders of Grace Community Church and I have received so much grace we even put it in our name. Yesterday I was reminded how much our staff is a product of God’s grace. We’ve all needed lots of it. (Everyone we decided except for maybe Ben. Of course, he probably just hides it well.)
Lately though my thoughts have been on how we abuse grace. We take it for granted. We attempt to cheapen grace. We failed to accept it. We try to add to it.
Today, at least for the moment I’m typing it, I’m just going to be overwhelmed with the amazing grace my Father provides for me.
Grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God’s grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin!
What are your thoughts about the word “grace” today? Have you needed lots? Has lots of grace been given to you? Think carefully about this next question: Are you abusing grace?
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