Grace Is

Have I mentioned lately how wise you are? Your understanding of life and loss and learning and laughter and loving God comes from a well of experience, made deeper by the hours you’ve spent in His Word and in His presence.

When you share your wisdom on this blog, on Facebook, on Twitter, you bless thousands. No kidding. Thousands.

That’s why this week, four of our sisters will teach us what grace is…in a sentence. Then, I’ll toss in my two cents, and give the Lord the last, best Word.

“His grace is a gift I could never earn or deserve.”—Lynn

Even so, some of us are still laboring to the point of exhaustion, trying to earn His forgiveness. Staying up late, running ourselves ragged, making must-do lists, thinking if we work hard enough for God, He might stamp us “Approved.”

Beloved, it’s time to stop striving and rest in this truth: Grace is a gift. Salvation is a gift. Faith is a gift. And God Himself is the greatest gift of all. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

“Without His grace, I am hopeless and lost!!”—Brenda

We’re all nodding on this one. Me too. Praise the One who solves such problems. With His grace, we have hope. With His grace, we are found.

When things look or feel or seem hopeless, they are not. That’s the adversary, trying to convince you to give up. Stand firm. “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:24).

Once Christ has found you, you are no longer lost. He has claimed you, forgiven you, and will never lose you. It’s a finished work. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10).

“When I make a mess of my life, God continues to love me.”—Mary

That’s grace, all right. Most people avoid mess-makers, but not God. He said to the apostle Paul (and to you and to me), “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). And in messiness. And in wretchedness.

“I always need His grace, especially when I don’t think I need it.”—Diane

This is so the truth. Two of the most dangerous phrases in the English language are “I’ve got this” and “I don’t need help.”

In those moments, the Lord quickly points out our pride—often through a humbling experience—then bids us come to Him, certain of His loving-kindness. “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Lord, we marvel at Your unimaginable, indescribable gift of grace. We know we can’t purchase Your gift with our works. We can only accept Your grace with empty hands and grateful hearts and lips full of praise.

How would you finish the sentence, “Grace is…”? Please share your thoughts below, knowing they will bless many.

Your grateful sister, Liz
@LizCurtisHiggs