God’s grace simply doesn’t make sense to me. It is radical. Extreme. Counterintuitive. Free and boundless. It goes against human logic. Maybe it doesn’t make sense to you either. So, why do we have so much trouble wrapping our minds around God’s lavish grace?
For starters, the world we live in operates with different rules. Normally, we reap what we sow. We work hard in order to earn a paycheck. When drive faster than the speed limit, we get an expensive ticket.
And, we know we don’t deserve grace. We don’t deserve a saving relationship with Jesus. Yet, He pours it out on those who don’t deserve it. God lavishes His grace on those not seeking it. And after our conversion, through times of rebellion, complacency, grief, and struggle, God gently draws us back to Himself with cords of love.
And still, the grace keeps coming! Through times of trial and suffering, it overflows our lives to provide comfort, encouragement, and strength. God extends His lavish grace to us every moment of every day.
What is Grace?
The best, condensed definition of grace I can give you is this: “Grace” is God’s divine favor and merciful, loving-kindness.
The Greek word usually translated as “grace” in the New Testament is charis. The definition of charis in The Complete Word Study New Testament includes these facets:
- Closely related to the Greek word we translate as “joy”
- Divine favor, kindness, acceptance
- Favor bestowed on the undeserving without expectation of return
- Absolute freeness of God’s loving-kindness to men
- Motivated by the bounty and heart of the Giver
- Unearned and unmerited favor
- Forgives sin and affects a person’s sinful nature, shaping her to be used for God’s good purposes
- Results in joy and gratitude in the one who receives it
God’s grace flows from His heart. It’s based on His bounty, His character. We do not merit His grace. We cannot earn it. Yet in His loving-kindness He freely pours it out.
Grace begins and ends with our gracious God. It’s all about Him, yet you and I benefit. Isn’t that amazing?
I still don’t understand God’s grace. But I will forever rely on its lavish abundance.
How have you experienced God’s lavish grace this week?
This post is part of a month-long emphasis on grace to celebrate the release of Kathy’s newest Bible study “Lavish Grace.” Here are a few ways you can join in the celebration!
- Check out the summary of all that’s happening
- “Color Grace!” Download the 1st coloring sheet and enter to win!
- Download and use the 3-week “Lavish Grace” Bible Reading Plan
- Get your own “Lavish Grace” necklace
- Plan to attend the Facebook Launch Party on Thursday, August 25!
“It’s all about Him, yet you and I benefit”. Kathy, I love these words. What an amazing God we serve!
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
-Ephesians 2:8
Time and time again we fall into sin and time and time again he pours his grace over us. His mercy always remains. It is almost incomprehensible. We don’t have to be able to understand it. All we must do is receive it (and praise him for it!).
Kellie, you are right! Praise God we don’t have to understand His grace to experience it!
“Grace begins and ends with our gracious God.”
Kathy, that’s so good! We certainly don’t “deserve” forgiveness and blessings but that’s just what grace is. I’m so grateful for our gracious God!