What is grace?
There is an acronym for grace I once heard:
G-d’s Riches At Christ’s Expense
And while that in and of itself portrays the beauty of what the cross of Christ and He did for us, I think it only shows one side of the equation.
The other side is obedience. Why obedience?
When we finally realize the cost of Grace (research Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship book) and the love behind it – we will want to show our love in return via listening, trusting, and obedience.
When I was heavy into my first 40 years of life and sin, I was shackled to the slavery of sin, shame, and suffering.
When the grace of G-d stepped onto the scene and I recognized my poverty of spirit and embraced this truth – I immediately needed to surrender and receive it.
I needed to realize that He was acting provincially to break those chains to enable me to embrace Him and His ways for His glory – not mine.
No longer should I serve sin but Him.
Grace upon grace. The former to bless me to break free from the shackles. The latter daily for walking with Him and strength for trust and obedience.
This is grace to me. He has allowed me through His kindness to be free to love Him and thus sweet obedience.
It will be costly – sure. It will be a struggle – sure – yet His grace and love will carry me in His will to love and obey.
John 1:
16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
