Courageous Grace

I wonder if you ever feel discouraged. I know I do. And it seems a bit strange I suppose, but I am often most discouraged about myself when I encounter those who seem to be accomplished. The very people who should be an encouragement, are often the standard that skews my own perspective. You know, those people who seem to be perfect wives and mothers ... those who are successful in their chosen vocation ... those who seem to "have it all together."

I think the enemy takes great delight in feeding our human nature that seeks to compete. And exactly what are we competing with? Is it really others who are to set the standard for our own self-worth? What would God say about our pity-party as we allow our spirits to be down-cast when we feel as though we don't measure up?

I'm learning a lot about grace these days. I'm not one who is very good at grace ... at either end ... giving or receiving. I'm much more about truth and justice. But as I read more about Jesus, and as I allow Him to walk this life beside me, I'm learning more and more that He is all about grace. Oh, He's all about truth too, but the truth seems to be evident in the hearts of those to whom He extends grace. In other words, it is His grace, which reveals the truth we carry in our own hearts. If He is my example, then perhaps I, too, should be more about grace and let the truth do its own convicting. Somewhere we've gotten the idea that grace is something we earn ... something for which we can obtain worthiness. Grace, by definition is in fact, just the opposite. It is the unmerited favor of God. Nothing any of us do can make us worthy of receiving unconditional grace from a completely Holy God. He extends grace to us simply because we are His and He loves us, faults and all.

Imagine the freedom we would experience if we could really live a grace-centered life. A life where we allowed ourselves to live in the grace that God extends to us.

"And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14 reminds us that Christ embodied all that is grace and all that is truth. However, as He walked the earth and encountered the sinner, I don't hear words of condemnation pouring forth from His lips. He speaks a language of grace, yet the truth in the heart of the sinner brings conviction and repentance.

As you walk along your path today, I'm wondering if you've allowed the enemy to speak words of judgement and condemnation into your heart. Yes, we are sinful. Yes, Christ desires that we see our sin, ask forgiveness and turn away to walk in the Light. Yet so often, we get stuck in our own cycle of self-condemnation. Today, allow yourself to be set free to hear the voice of Grace in your life. Christ didn't come to condemn but to save. He didn't come to burden us with the law, but to set us free in His love. Allow His grace to be your freedom today. Ask Him to allow you to see not only yourself, but others as well through His Eyes of Grace.

Be Blessed!