THE GOD OF GRACE
As Christians, we know about the grace of God, but we may not know about the fullness of it. Recently, I was reading How People Grow by Dr Henry Cloud and John Townsend and I saw grace from a fresh perspective.
The grace of God is a part of God’s character. He is good and his grace empowers us to live in fulfilment to his commandments. As Christians, we know this and try to live it out. As humans, we don’t always get it right. Naturally, we strive and strain to be better; to read our bibles every day, to go to church and connect group. We beat ourselves up when we miss the mark and vow to do better next time. But we don’t. We fail.
Grace is the solution but it comes with a cost. Grace requires us to recognise our failure, to come to the end of ourselves and acknowledge our need for God. We can’t vow to do better because we can’t be better without God’s intervention. God’s grace requires us dying to ourselves and recognising our need for him.
But there is good news. God’s grace isn’t just one of forgiveness, it is one of favour. He is on our side and wants us to win! When we die to ourselves, God comes in and gives us all the tools we need to succeed. We need to stop trying – and allow him to.
Understanding God’s character – one overflowing with love for us and the grace to carry us – allows us to do everything we are called to do. I am so thankful for this, as there is no way I can live my life in my own strength!
It is by the God of grace.