What’s so Amazing about Grace? – 14 Oct 2008

I think we all need to hear the message of Philip Yancey’s book “What’s so Amazing about Grace?”  I like this book so much I intend to buy a second copy and re-read it (hopefully whoever has the first copy we had will pass it on when they are finished with it).  Grace is a word that we either don’t understand or have forgotten to apply in our daily walk with Christ.

If Jesus came back today would he find his church on earth “full of grace and truth”  See what John (the closest disciple to Jesus) says about Christ:

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 testifies concerning him.  He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' "

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.  For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
John 1:14-17[NIV]

Perhaps the biggest thing missing in the life of the church today is Grace.  We are full of the law and knowledge of Christ’s teachings – yet still we can be hard hearted, mean spirited and cold in our relationships with others.  I’m not just talking about everyone else here as I can see this most keenly in my own experience!

Here are a few things to ponder:

·    If our church was full of grace, would there be so many empty seats?

·    If our lives were full of grace, would people want to know why?

·    If Jesus felt grace was so important, shouldn’t we?

·    Doesn’t the way we treat others influence how God will treat us?

·    If we don’t show God’s grace to the world, who will?

·    Grace is amazing, undeserved and free – why not give some away?

May the Grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the Love of God, and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all today.

Amen.