I have been thinking about grace quite a bit the last few days. It can be casually defined as “unmerited favor.” We all like to be the recipients of grace as in:
- If we are late on a mortgage payment, we receive grace – no late fee, no damage done to our credit rating, just make the payment.
- We miss the date to turn in our term paper. We are permitted to turn it in late with minimal points taken off on our grade.
- We get pulled over for speeding. The officer just checks all our documents and gives a talking to about staying within the speed limits.
- We hurt another person’s feelings and they choose to overlook it, offering forgiveness and excusing it.
But lately my thoughts are turning to the concept of offering grace to others – being the grace giver. This can often be a little more challenging. This thought process began with a few Scriptures.
“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
(Ephesians 4:1-3, NASB)
Paul, even while in prison, begs us to walk in a way which is honoring of Christ. He even lists some of the qualities which should be evident and at work in our lives – humility, gentleness, patience, love, and peace.
In another book, Paul writes of his prayers for the people so that they would be filled with all that is needed “so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord” (Colossians 1:10, NASB).
We respond to others as we recognize and understand the gift of grace upon our own lives. What are we to remember about this gift of grace so that we are then better able to be people who offer grace to others?
- Remember the grace that has been received.
- Remember the grace still needed each day.
- Remember other people are in need of that same grace.
- Remember to ask God to fill our hearts with His grace.
Probably the area where we are in need of grace is in the words we speak to one another. Are we kind? Encouraging? Sincere? Gentle? Compassionate? Truthful? Loving?
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”
(Proverbs 18:21, NASB)
“What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.” (GNT)
“Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you choose.” (MSG)
Our words have power,
and the choice of words is ours alone.
May our words always be seasoned with grace!
“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” (Colossians 4:6, NASB)
**After writing the post, Rick Warren shared this song on Twitter. It is both beautiful and powerful. May it bless someone as much as it has blessed me.
The sharing of our wounds can be places which bring healing, both to ourselves and others. In her post, “Making Peace with May Memories” (HERE), Donna Bucher shares in a transparent, vulnerable, and honoring manner. “Perhaps, like Jesus, the scars we carry into eternity will not only tell a story of pain once experienced, but the story of a redemptive Love which made every wounded place new again.” You will be greatly encouraged and blessed by her words.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Yeah, I had to be the grace giver the other day. First it was easy and then when things settled a bit it wasn’t easy. But when all was said and done it was the right thing to do. No regrets.
I had been forgiven for so much.
It’s funny how we start guessing ourselves. But as you said, grace – it’s always the right thing to do.
It’s sad that we forget to offer to others the grace that we have received. Thank you for this much-needed reminder.
Barbara, since I wrote the post I have realized we will be challenged in the area of grace-giving every day. I’m praying for eyes to see those opportunities and a heart willing to give the grace needed.
It seems we are on similar wavelengths this week, Joanne. 🙂 The verses you shared are all so relevant today … choosing to give grace is definitely counter-cultural, but as Linda said in her comment, always the right thing to do.
I realized we were thinking along the same way too 🙂 Grace-giving will require DTS for certain. Never easy, counter-cultural, but oh the relief we experience when we know we did what was required and right before our Lord.
Joanne such a great reminder! How easy it is to receive grace, but I admit it’s hard to give grace at times! Yet I think the more we learn to give grace as freely as God gives to us, the sweeter receiving grace becomes to us.
Beautiful song!!
And I am both humbled and blessed by your sharing my post here this week, thank you sweet friend!!
Donna, you worded it beautifully >> ” the more we learn to give grace as freely as God gives to us, the sweeter receiving grace becomes to us.” You are a blessing, my friend!
I need continual reminders that all the grace that was present on the day my sins were forgiven is still mightily at work today.
Great thoughts, Joanne. We want grace for ourselves more than from ourselves. But if we’ve received it, it only grows as we pass it on.
Joanne! Thank you for sharing that song! Oh wow! It is resonating with me so much – maybe because I’m a writer; but we all are wordlayers whether we realize it or not.
May we be a grace giver as we lay our words in the hearts of family, friends, readers, and all those we meet.
Jerralea, the song has been on repeat since I heard it. I am glad it resonated with you as well. May we layer our words wisely, carefully, and gracefully!
Ephesians 4:2 is engraved on our wedding rings and we’re about to celebrate another year. We might not have made it this far without this admonition from God. Thank you for the reminders today.
Thank you for this encouragement to extend grace to others, Joanne. God has been so generous to us, and He desires to be gracious through us to others. What an inspiring song! Thank you for sharing it with us.
What a beautiful song to remind us of the power of our words. May God enable us to use them for His glory and to encourage others. Blessings to you, dear Joanne! xo
Great thoughts Ms. Joanne. I consider that I’ve been given much more grace than I’ve offered. Perhaps it’s not too late to balance those scales, ma’am. I know God isn’t keeping score, but if I’m working to be more like His Son, then I should strive to do that in all aspects.