Understanding Grace

Grace is very hard to grasp because there is really nothing else like it in the world today. Everything seems to have a catch and require the person to contribute something in some way to get the “free” thing. You get this great free gift if you just spend $19.95. But there is no “if” with the grace of God. The grace of God is one of the primary ways God demonstrates the depths of His love for humanity. Unfortunately, even most of the universal church has a hard time grasping the grace of God. Grace by its definition is unmerited favor and a gift from one party to another without condition. It is clear that all humanity is guilty of sin and all deserve eternal separation from God (Romans 3:23). All persons have things in their past and present that often produce guilt and shame. However, these feelings, when not dealt with timely, often produce selfishness and paralyze a person from freedom in Christ. The grace of God is humbling and takes us to a place where we are uncomfortable and spiritually naked before God. We must realize that we have nothing to offer God and are completely unworthy and dependent upon Him. Only at this point can we realize and appreciate the freeness of the grace of God. He loves and sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins to take away the shame, reproach and guilt that our sin bought us. Jesus bore our guilt, shame, inadequacy, etc. in His body on the cross and offers us unconditional forgiveness (1 Peter 2:24). We are to accept this salvation and forgiveness of sins by faith in Him. Jesus takes us as we are and all can receive salvation through Him regardless of our past. Paul wrote in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” As such, those who have been forgiven must no longer dwell in a pit of self condemnation, but rather willingly present our bodies to God for His bidding and service (Romans 12:1-2).