I have lived in chronic pain since I was twelve years old. People ask me how I maintain a positive attitude, and one of my regular replies is “the grace of God.”
One of the countless qualities and characteristics that put Christianity in an entirely different category from other religions is that one small word. Grace.
Jesus’ saving work on the cross was the most abundantly gracious act in eternal history. But grace is not a one and done act. Thanks be to God that grace is a continual daily unfolding of Jesus’ favor, goodwill, and kindness towards us. John 1:14 proclaims, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
Life is hard, yet Jesus is full of grace, and He is ready and wanting to give daily doses of grace to us! To help me understand grace, one of my favorite Merriam-Webster Dictionary definitions of grace is: “Unmerited divine assistance.” We could never try hard enough or be good enough to earn grace. Grace is a gift given by God.
One of my favorite verses illustrating this is 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Out of my own strength, I fail to maintain a positive attitude. But suffering teaches me continually to know grace – both in my head and in my heart – because Jesus’ fullness of grace is sufficient!
Grace is countercultural. Knowing or understanding grace does not come naturally. But the Lord is gracious to us, on our quest for grasping grace. The old poem written by hymn writer, Annie Johnson Flint, beautifully articulates grace:
“He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.” – Annie Johnson Flint
May your Quiet Time be an opportunity for you to deepen your knowledge of grace.
